Une histoire de la famille Poincaré (xviie-xxe siècles)

Abstract

The Poincaré family has its roots in Lorraine, in the departments of Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse and Vosges. Arrancy-sur-Crusne, Bar-le-Duc, Landaville, Longuyon, Lunéville, Nancy, Neufchâteau, Remenoncourt, Xirocourt are among of the towns and villages where the ancestors of the two most famous Poincarés, Henri and Raymond, were born and lived. This article proposes a long-term history of the family of Henri Poincaré and is based on a vast synthesis of existing genealogical information. First, I quickly explore the ancient origins of the name ’Poincaré’ and certain indirectly linked branches of the family. Following this, I give a more detailed analysis of the private and career paths of the principal members of the closest branch of the family, particularly Henri Poincaré’s father, uncle and paternal grandfather. This study ends by focusing briefly on the marriages and respective descendants of Henri Poincaré and his sister Aline. This article is structured around a dual ambition. The first aim is to contribute to knowledge of Poincaré’s biography with particular focus on the private sphere. The second is to finely characterize Poincaré’s the social milieu throughout his life.