Abstract
The scientific chairs of the Collège de France numbered eight out of nineteen in 1789, on the eve of the Revolution. They remained in place until 1794, then became vacant during the Directoire, Consulate, Empire and Restoration periods. Under successive regimes, their number slowly increased, to thirteen out of forty-two by 1900. The evolution of the subjects taught, the demographics of the teaching staff and the political vicissitudes of recruitment are all worth examining. During a turbulent century in French history, the Collège de France, which had reformed itself before the end of the Ancien Régime, did not fall short of expectations.
