Joseph Fourier - Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone

In 1801, Fourier returned from Egypt on the Napoleon expedition with many artifacts including an ink pressed copy of the Rosetta Stone. The original stone was discovered in 1799 and by 1802 a translation of the ancient Greek text had already been popularly printed.

Born in 1790 as the seventh son to an impoverished family, young Jean-Francois Champollion joined his elder brother at Académie de Grenoble in 1801; Fourier became Prefect of Grenoble the same year. Champollion was quickly recognized as a virtuoso and self-educated linguist. In an honorable meeting, Fourier happened to introduce Champollion at age 11 to an ink pressed copy of the Rosetta Stone where, being amazed that none had deciphered its meaning, he resolutely dedicated himself to the translation of ancient Egyptian. In 1806, Champollion with the continued support of Fourier and his elder brother, Jacques, presented a paper on Coptic at Académie de Grenoble with insight to ancient Egyptian. Furthermore in 1809, Champollion returned after 2 years in Paris to Académie de Grenoble after being helped by Fourier to gain exemption from military service. Ultimately, Fourier's first influential encounter with Champollion and subsequent relationship largely supported Champollion's translation of ancient Egyptian from 1822 to 1824 when he finally gained widespread fame for his breakthrough publication.