Adolphe Napoléon Didron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adolphe Napoléon Didron
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| Born | 13 March 1806 Hautvillers, Marne, France
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| Died | 13 November 1867 |
| Occupation | Art historian, archeologist |
| Relatives | Édouard Didron (nephew) |
Adolphe Napoléon Didron (1806–1867) was a French expert who studied art history and archaeology. He helped us understand old artworks and buildings.
Early Life and Studies
Adolphe Napoléon Didron was born in a French town called Hautvillers on March 13, 1806. He first started studying law. Later, he went to special schools called seminaries in Meaux and Reims.
In 1826, he became a history teacher in Paris. In his free time, he kept learning about different subjects, like law and medicine.
Discovering Archaeology
In 1830, a famous writer named Victor Hugo suggested something new to Didron. He told Didron to study Christian archaeology from the Middle Ages. Archaeology is the study of human history through digging up old things.
Didron traveled around France. He visited many important churches in places like Normandy and southern France. He carefully looked at their art and architecture.
When he returned in 1835, he got an important job. He became the secretary for the Historical Committee of Arts and Monuments. This group worked to protect old buildings and art.
Teaching and Travels
In the years that followed, Didron gave many talks. He taught about Christian iconography at the Royal Library. Iconography is the study of symbols and images in art.
In 1839, he traveled to Greece. He wanted to learn about the art of the Eastern Church. He studied their buildings and old handwritten books.
Important Works
In 1844, Didron started a magazine called Annales archéologiques. This magazine was all about his favorite subject, archaeology. He was the editor until he passed away.
In 1845, he opened a special printing press in Paris for archaeological books. At the same time, he also started a factory that made stained glass. Stained glass is colorful glass used in church windows.
That same year, he received a special honor. He was made a member of the Légion d'honneur, which is a very important award in France.
Didron wrote many important books. His most famous work was Iconographie chrétienne. Only the first part, called Histoire de Dieu (History of God), was published in 1843. This book was later translated into English.
He also wrote other books, like an introduction to Manuel d'iconographie chrétienne grecque et latine in 1845. He also wrote about the carvings on the columns of the Doge's Palace in Venice in 1857. Another book was about bronze and gold objects in 1859.
Adolphe Napoléon Didron passed away on November 13, 1867.
