[40] Flourens was born in 1838, and was the son of the well-known
_savant_ and physiologist of this name. He completed his studies with
brilliancy, and succeeded his father as professor of the Collège de
France. His opening lecture on the History of Man made a profound
impression on the scientific world. However, he retired from this post
in 1864, and turned his undivided attention to the political questions
of the day. Deeply compromised by certain pamphlets written by him, he
left France for Candia, where he espoused the popular cause against
the Turks. On his return to France he was imprisoned for three months
for political offences. Rochefort’s candidature was hotly supported by
him. In 1870 he rose against the Government, with a large force of the
Belleville _faubouriens_. He was prosecuted, and took refuge in
London. After the fourth of September he was placed at the head of
five battalions of National Guards. He was again imprisoned for having
instigated the rising of October, and it was not till the
twenty-second of March that he was set at liberty. On the second of
April he set out for Versailles at the head of an insurgent troop. He
was met midway by a mounted patrol, and in the _mêlée_ that ensued he
was killed.