François Arago

Dominique François Jean Arago (26 February 1786 to 2 October 1853), known simply as François Arago, was a French mathematician, physicist, astronomer, freemason, supporter of the Carbonari revolutionaries and politician. In physics he is known for helping to establish the wave theory of light, and the Arago spot, an important optical experiment that demonstrated it, is named after him. He was born at Estagel, a village of about three thousand people near Perpignan in the département of Pyrénées-Orientales, where his father was Treasurer of the Mint. He was the eldest of six brothers; Jean emigrated to North America and became a general in the Mexican army, and Jacques was another brother. His Catalan name is Domènec Francesc Joan Aragó.