Isnard, Achylle Nicolas (1749–1803)

Abstract

French engineer and economist, Isnard was born at Paris on 25 February 1749; he died at Lyons on 25 February 1803. There are no details of his family history except that he had a devoted brother, J.L. Isnard, who was a lawyer and a judge, and who often interceded on his behalf. At the age of 17, Isnard entered the Ecole des Ponts et Chaussées which, even at this early date, inspired interest in political economy and exposed its students to heavy doses of mathematics and statistics. On successfully completing his studies, Isnard began his career as an apprentice engineer in the district of Besançon. While engaged in various works of construction in these environs, he took the time to write his remarkable two-volume work, Traité des richesses, which was published in 1781.