Distinguished Ancestor, part 2

After seeing the bust of Lloyd’s great-great grandfather in the Troyes museum, we were anxious to learn more about this man who had so impressed the citizens of Troyes. We found a biography of him in the National Library in Paris. Following is a condensed version of his life.

Ambrose Napoleon Cottet was born in 1808. As the son of a poor weaver, he began working on the loom as a child. Because of his keen interest in mathematics, he daubed a network of black numbers on the white cloth as he wove. Finally, in desperation his father allowed him to begin lessons with an outstanding mathematics teacher. After two years, Ambrose became the teacher.

In 1831, he married and became father of two sons and two daughters. (The elder son was Lloyd’s great grandfather who migrated to the United States.)

Over his lifetime, Ambrose held many professional positions. While teaching science, he published a brochure “The Keys to the Metric System”, which helped popularize use of the system in France. Later in life he became Assistant Curator of the Museum at Troyes, and was co-founder of two newspapers.

To be continued…

Wilma Gundy

Photo: Lloyd Gundy

Lloyd by sign dedicated to his great-great grandfather.