Read the excerpt from Eighty Years and More: Reminiscences, 1815-1897. Soon after this I began to study Latin, Greek, and mathem
atics with a class of boys in the Academy, many of whom were much older than I. For three years one boy kept his place at the head of the class, and I always stood next. Two prizes were offered in Greek. I strove for one and took the second. How well I remember my joy in receiving that prize. There was no sentiment of ambition, rivalry, or triumph over my companions, nor feeling of satisfaction in receiving this honor in the presence of those assembled on the day of the exhibition. One thought alone filled my mind. "Now," said I, "my father will be satisfied with me."
La Gran Medalla (Grande Médaille en francés) de la Academia de Ciencias de Francia, establecida en 1997, es otorgada anualmente a un investigador que haya contribuido decisivamente al desarrollo de la ciencia. Es el más prestigioso de los premios de la Academia, y es otorgado en un campo diferente cada año. Su creación es el resultado de la combinación de una serie de premios de ciencias de la propia Academia francesa: en 1970 se unieron el Premio Lalande y el Premio Valz; y en 1997 se agregaron otros 122 premios.
The Grand Medal (Grande Médaille in French) of the French Academy of Sciences, established in 1997, is awarded annually to a researcher who has contributed decisively to the development of science. It is the most prestigious of the Academy Awards, and is awarded in a different field each year. Its creation is the result of the combination of a series of science awards from the French Academy itself: in 1970 the Lalande Prize and the Valz Prize were joined; and in 1997 another 122 awards were added.
