Alphonse Briart (1825-1898) was supervisor of the coal mines at Bascoup and Mariemont near Morlanwelz in the Hainaut province of Belgium, and a geologist who studied that region. During the period 1863-1896 he and Francois Cornet published a number of books and papers describing fossils and geological structures found near Mons. They devised theories - now generally accepted - as to the geological history of the region. After Cornet's death in 1887, Briart continued to write alone.

The mineral Briartite is named for his grandson, Gaston Briart.

Life events

• 1825 Born at Chapelle-lez-Herlaimont
• 1844 Graduates with diplôme d’ingénieur from the École des Mines in Mons
• 1844 Practical mining training at Mons
• 1846 Joins the coal mines of Mariemont and Bascoup
• 1855 Marries Elise Deltenre
• 1863 First geological publication, in collaboration with Fr. Cornet
• 1866 A. Briart and Fr. Cornet receive gold medal of Société des sciences, arts, et lettres du Hainaut for a paper on the Cretaceous terrain of Hainaut.
• 1867 Flint discoveries at Mesvin with Cornet & de Lehaie
• 1867 Correspondent member, Royal Academy of Belgium
• 1868 Named Chief Engineer of the coal mines of Mariemont and Bascoup
• 1871 Founder member of Société géologique de Belgique
• 1874 Full member, Royal Academy of Belgium
• 1875 Chevalier de l’Ordre de Léopold
• 1877 Publishes memoir Sur le relief du sol en Belgique après les temps paléozoïques
• 1888 President, the alumni association of the École des Mines in Hainaut
• 1890 Officier de l’Ordre de Léopold
• 1894 Receives décoration spéciale de première class for promoters/administrators of mutual societies
• 1894 Publishes La Géologie des environs de Fontaine-l'Évêque et de Landelies
• 1895 Geological trip to Chile
• 1897 Commandeur de l’Ordre de Léopold
• 1898 Dies at Morlanwelz

External links

• Some books by Briart & Cornet
• Briart's summary of Morlanwelz geology (French language)