Georges Cuvier (1769–1832) was a famous French naturalist and zoologist. His is name is one of 72 on the Eiffel Tower.
Cuvier was a thought leader in natural science. He established the sciences of comparative anatomy and paleontology. He proved extinction occurred. He was one of the first to suggest the reptiles dominated the earth in prehistoric times. He believed there were cyclical creations and extinctions of life caused by catastrophes such as floods. He did not believe in evolution.
Cuvier spent years studying and comparing animals and fossils.
Here are engravings from his work Le Règne Animal Distribué d’après son Organisation. This means “The Animal Kingdom, Distributed According to Its Organization”. They are original antiques, made in the 1800s.