Arago, Dominique Francois Jean
Arago, Dominique Franois Jean (1786-1853), a French physicist and astronomer. He made important contributions in electromagnetism and in optics, especially through his experiments on the polarization of light and the wave theory of light. Arago taught at the Ecole Polytechique in Paris, 1809-30, and was then director of the Paris Observatory until his death.
A fiery republican, Arago took part in the 1830 and 1848 revolutions. He was minister of war and marine in the provisional government of 1848. He helped abolish slavery in French colonies.