Charles Bonnet
Genevan philosopher and naturalist (1720-1793) · Academics · Died at 73
Charles Bonnet was a Genevan naturalist and philosophical writer. He is responsible for coining the term phyllotaxis to describe the arrangement of leaves on a plant. He was among the first to notice parthenogenetic reproduction in aphids and established that insects respired through their spiracles.
Charles Bonnet is read about 57 times a day, in 31 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 6 November 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 104 days, one point a day.
Something wrong?People around Charles
Close ties
Media & music
Photos 8
Chain of being from Traité d'insectologie, 1745
Contemporary drawing of Bonnet's tomb in what was then the Parc des Plantes, now the Parc des Bastions. It was later removed, its whereabouts unknown. From the collections of the Bibliothèque des Genève.
Bust of Charles Bonnet by James Pradier, on display on the grounds of the Geneva Botanical Garden.
Contemplation de la nature, 1764
Awards
About this person
He was among the first to use the term "evolution" in a biological context. Deaf from an early age, he also suffered from failing eyesight and had to make use of assistants in later life to help in his research.
