Jean-Louis Giraud Soulavie was a French clergyman, geologist, and writer. He was among the first to recognize ecological constraints in the distribution of species and noted altitudinal limits to some plants in 1784, drawing transverse distribution maps about 23 ahead of Humboldt and Bonpland. Soulavie was an active participant in the French Revolution, joining the Jacobin club, and survived despite being in favour of Robespierre. His geological studies suggested to him that the earth was several million years old but on orders from the church, he eschewed geology.
[before May 20, 1782] 5 Monsieur Je n’ai pas voulu me distraire; mais j’ai L’honneur de vous adresser par ecrit vos profondes meditations. Laissant en blanc Les lieux & mesures,…
Abbé Jean-Louis Giraud Soulavie thanks Benjamin Franklin for honoring his modest works and for agreeing to place a copy in the Philadelphia library, which owes its existence to Franklin and the local academy. Soulavie expresses gratitude for Franklin's protection with the Philadelphia society, despite feeling unworthy of association. He closes with deep respect and humility.