Antoine Fourcroy, a reformer in the service of the powers

Antoine-François Fourcroy (1755-1809) appears to be the main architect of the reconstruction of medical studies under the Empire. But during the revolutionary period, he participated as Marat's substitute in the destruction of the health system. But realizing that things had gone too far, he advocated from 1794 for the creation of new health schools and then under the Empire he ensured the organization of medical studies. In 1803 (he is Director General of Public Instruction), the famous law of 19 Ventôse Year XI was promulgated. It regulated the duration of studies and their program, imposed examinations and the defense of the thesis. This law constitutes the foundation of modern medicine.