Abstract
A French engineer and economist, Louis Marie Henri Navier was a pioneer in the construction of suspension bridges, and is also known as the creator of that branch of mechanics known as structural analysis. In his economic inquiries, he sought a practical measure of public utility that provided the springboard for Dupuit’s pioneer contributions to demand theory. Orphaned at the age of nine, Navier was adopted by his great-uncle, the celebrated architect–engineer, Émiland-Marie Gauthey (1732–1806), who likely inspired his adopted son to follow in his illustrious footsteps. Navier died prematurely at the age of 51, thus cutting short a distinguished career of public service.
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Hébert, R.F. (2018). Navier, Louis Marie Henri (1785–1836). In: The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95189-5_2319
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95189-5_2319
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