Newsletter 2026 /1
Claude HOOTELE
March 2, 1938 - March 10, 2026
Claude Hootelé (1938-2026) at the Paris book fair 2013
Dear readers and friends of the Virtual Museum of the History of Mineralogy, Instead of our usual newsletter presenting new additions to the website, I would like to share some sad news with you.
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my colleague Claude Hootelé at the age of 88.
In 2007, Claude and I started the Virtual Museum of the History of Mineralogy website with the aim of bringing together photographs and descriptions of representative historical objects related to the early sciences of mineralogy and crystallography. What began with a few objects from our own collections gradually developed into a more extensive collection of books, instruments, crystal models, and other historical materials from various collections.
Claude attached great importance to accurate descriptions. He carefully checked all information before it was posted on the website and was extremely precise in his work; for example, the collations of books were always examined with great care by him.
With French as his mother tongue, he had a particular interest in the publications of Romé de L’Isle, Haüy, and other French mineralogists from the first half of the nineteenth century. He transcribed, for instance, letters from Jean Démeste to Romé de L’Isle, and we also collaborated on the translation of Gautier d’Agoty’s Histoire Naturelle.
Claude is survived by his wife Monique, two children, and two grandchildren.
It was a privilege to work with Claude. We will remember him for his kindness, his erudition, and his intellectual generosity. He will be greatly missed.
The website will remain a tribute to the work and passion we shared, and future updates will continue in his spirit.
Paul Tambuyser
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