Etude De Topographie Par C Muret Sous La Direction De E Levasseur

Publishers: Ch. Delagrave
Engraver: L Wuhrer
Price: £95
Publication Date: Not dated but c.1873
Edition: Not stated
Format: Original steel engraving with hand-colouring
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: 61cm x 82.8cm when opened

Condition:

An unusual engraving by Muret and Levasseur designed to assist in the study of maps and elevations using imagined topographical landscapes. Probably produced with or alongside their work ‘LA LECTURE DES PLANS & CARTES TOPOGRAPHIQUES, ENSEIGNEE A L’AIDE D’UN TEXTE, D’UNE CARTE ET D’UN RELIEF’ of 1873. Backed on linen and folded into 8 sections. Slight age toning. Minor wear to the fold intersections. In very good condition overall. Scarce.

Emile Levasseur: A Brief Biography

Emile Levasseur (1828–1911) was a prominent French geographer, economist, and historian who made significant contributions to the fields of economic geography, human geography, and statistics. He was well-regarded for his comprehensive studies on the relationship between geography and the economy, as well as his in-depth research into labour, industry, and education. Levasseur was an influential academic figure during the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century, with his works shaping the development of modern geography and economic studies in France.

Early Life and Education

Émile Levasseur was born in 1828 in Le Mans, France. He was educated at the prestigious École Normale Supérieure, where he was trained in history and geography. Levasseur’s background in these subjects laid the foundation for his future contributions to geography and economics, as he combined both disciplines in much of his work.

Academic and Professional Career

Levasseur held numerous academic positions throughout his career, most notably at the Collège de France and the École Libre des Sciences Politiques (now Sciences Po). His work at these institutions earned him a reputation as one of France’s leading geographers and economists, and he was elected to the Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques in 1868.

He was an influential teacher and scholar, training many students who would later contribute to geography and economics in France and beyond. Levasseur’s career was marked by a blend of academic research, teaching, and public service, including contributions to governmental projects, such as demographic studies and economic statistics.

Contributions to Geography and Economics

1. Economic Geography: Levasseur is best known for his work in economic geography, where he focused on the relationship between geography, economics, and human activity. He examined how natural resources, transportation, and geographical features influenced economic development. His work was groundbreaking in understanding how geography affected trade, industry, and labour markets.His major contributions include mapping out the industrial and agricultural regions of France, demonstrating how geography shaped different economic sectors. He was among the first to systematically link geographic factors with economic performance, thus contributing to the development of regional economic studies.
2. Human Geography: Levasseur also made important contributions to human geography, which studies the interaction between people and their environments. He was interested in how populations were distributed across various regions and how geography influenced human settlement patterns, migration, and urbanisation.His studies often focused on the relationship between population growth, resource distribution, and economic activities, helping lay the foundation for later studies in demography and urban geography.
3. Labour and Industrial Studies: Another important aspect of Levasseur’s work was his focus on labour markets and industrial development. He conducted in-depth studies of working conditions, wages, and the distribution of labour in France and other parts of Europe. His research was instrumental in understanding the dynamics of labour during the Industrial Revolution and the economic shifts that were occurring in the late 19th century.Levasseur’s “Histoire des classes ouvrières et de l’industrie en France avant 1789” (History of the Working Classes and Industry in France Before 1789) is one of his most notable works, offering a detailed analysis of the conditions of workers and the development of industries prior to the French Revolution.
4. Statistics and Cartography: Levasseur was a pioneer in the use of statistics and cartography to support his research. He used statistical data to map economic and social trends across France, particularly focusing on population densities, industrial production, and resource allocation. His maps were not just geographic tools but also visual representations of economic and social realities.His innovative use of statistical data to analyse and display economic and demographic information helped advance the fields of economic statistics and geostatistics, influencing how later researchers approached the study of economics and geography.

Major Works

Some of Levasseur’s most influential publications include:

1. “La Population Française” (1889–1892): A comprehensive study of the French population, examining demographic trends, birth and death rates, and migration patterns. This work was pivotal in understanding the dynamics of population growth and its implications for the economy.
2. “Histoire des classes ouvrières et de l’industrie en France avant 1789” (1859–1867): Levasseur’s multi-volume history of the French working class and industry before the French Revolution. It provided a detailed account of the socio-economic conditions leading up to the Revolution, focusing on labour, industry, and class relations.
3. “Histoire du Commerce de la France” (1892): A history of French commerce that examines the development of trade routes, economic policies, and the evolution of France’s role in global trade.
4. “Atlas National de la France”: Levasseur produced a series of geographical and economic maps of France, detailing the country’s physical geography, resources, and industrial regions. His work combined cartography with statistical analysis to offer a comprehensive view of France’s economic landscape.

Influence and Legacy

Émile Levasseur’s contributions to economic geography, human geography, and labour studies left a lasting impact on these fields. He was a key figure in the scientific study of geography in France, helping to formalise the discipline and integrate it with economics and statistics. His work laid the groundwork for future studies in both geography and economic history, influencing the way scholars approached the relationship between geography and human activity.

Levasseur’s integration of cartography, statistics, and historical analysis was highly innovative for his time, and his methodologies would go on to influence future scholars and geographers. His studies on the labour movement and industrial development were also crucial for understanding the socio-economic changes that shaped modern Europe.

In addition to his academic work, Levasseur’s contributions to demography and population studies influenced government policies and planning in France, especially as the country navigated the challenges of industrialisation and urbanisation.

Conclusion

Émile Levasseur was a towering figure in 19th-century French geography and economics, contributing to the development of economic geography, human geography, and labour studies. His use of statistical data and cartographic techniques helped shape modern geographic and economic research, while his in-depth studies of France’s population, labour markets, and industrial sectors left a lasting legacy in these fields. Levasseur’s work continues to be recognised for its foundational role in bridging geography and economics, influencing how we understand the interaction between human activity and the physical environment.

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