1770-1847

French mineralogist whose research helped to demonstrate how fossils could be used to trace geologic changes over time in a particular area, thus introducing the practice of geologic dating. Brongniart was the first to distinguish minerals from rocks, and he shares the credit for naming the period of the Mesozoic era known as Jurassic. Later in his career he turned to ceramic technology and worked to improve the art of enameling in France.