« I don’t believe the medicine, but I believe in Corvisart ». Napoléon, 1804.
Seance of wednesday 18 february 2026 (Napoléon et les chirurgiens)
DOI number : 10.26299/xtws-py11/emem.2026.08.12
Abstract
Jean Nicolas Corvisart was born on February 15, 1755, in the Ardennes in a noble family, since 1669. He was dead in Courbevoie in 1821. His father was public prospector in the Parliament of Paris. Jean Nicolas was working as male nurse in the Hôtel Dieu.
He continues to take lessons in the Faculty of Paris. In the Hospital La Charité, he is professor of pathology and then of physiology. He forms numerous medical students specially René Laennec.
In 1788, he is professor of pathology in the Hospital La Charité. He institutes the basic principles of clinical cardiology. But in 1793 the National Convention voted suppression of all the Academies, the closure of colleges and Faculties.
In 1794, the medical study is reorganized. In 1795 he was recruited as professor.
He set up the school of clinique médicale interne and reorganize his service in the hospital La Charité.The same year, he obtains the chaire de clinique interne - Ecole de Santé of Paris than in 1797 as professor of practical medicine at the College de France.
In 1798, Corvisart meets Bonaparte and Josephine de Beauharnais. He becomes his personal doctor and first physician.
On 14 July 1804, Napoléon nominate Corvisart officier of the Légion d’Honneur and first doctor of the Imperial Majesty in July 1804. In 1809 he is appointed Baron de l’Empire and first doctor of the Emperor.
In 1811, Corvisart comes in the Institute, than in The Académie de Médecine in 1820. Corvisart is a pioneer of the modern medicine and of the modern cardiology with many books on the diseases of the heart. He popularizes the technique of thoracic percussion.
He successfully managed the reform of the medical teaching cardiology and clinical medicine.
He continues to take lessons in the Faculty of Paris. In the Hospital La Charité, he is professor of pathology and then of physiology. He forms numerous medical students specially René Laennec.
In 1788, he is professor of pathology in the Hospital La Charité. He institutes the basic principles of clinical cardiology. But in 1793 the National Convention voted suppression of all the Academies, the closure of colleges and Faculties.
In 1794, the medical study is reorganized. In 1795 he was recruited as professor.
He set up the school of clinique médicale interne and reorganize his service in the hospital La Charité.The same year, he obtains the chaire de clinique interne - Ecole de Santé of Paris than in 1797 as professor of practical medicine at the College de France.
In 1798, Corvisart meets Bonaparte and Josephine de Beauharnais. He becomes his personal doctor and first physician.
On 14 July 1804, Napoléon nominate Corvisart officier of the Légion d’Honneur and first doctor of the Imperial Majesty in July 1804. In 1809 he is appointed Baron de l’Empire and first doctor of the Emperor.
In 1811, Corvisart comes in the Institute, than in The Académie de Médecine in 1820. Corvisart is a pioneer of the modern medicine and of the modern cardiology with many books on the diseases of the heart. He popularizes the technique of thoracic percussion.
He successfully managed the reform of the medical teaching cardiology and clinical medicine.