Bourgelat, the man of science
Bourgelat took an active part in the scientific affairs of France during the second half of the 18th century.
The publication of the 'Elémens d'hippiatrique' (the 'Elements of Horsemanship') raised him to the forefront of the writers of the time. His superlative scientific methodology made him outstanding. He had acquired this through his association with surgeons in Lyon; while learning to carry out dissections with them, he reviewed the anatomy of the horse.
Because of this work, he was called to be a corresponding member of the Academy of Science in Paris. Diderot and d'Alembert then asked him to work in collaboration on the Encyclopaedia, for which he was to write all the 'articles on horsemanship and farriery, and their related crafts'. After rectifying the contributions of preceding writers, he signed the first of some 250 articles in 1755.
Because of these works, Bourgelat extended his acquaintances beyond the circle he knew in Lyon. He won the friendship and sometimes the support of Malesherbes and Voltaire.
Page de garde des Elements d'Hippiatrique
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