Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (pronounced vyaw-le-luh-dyk) was a French architect, theorist and is now the latest historic figure to be featured in the Google Doodle.
Here’s everything you need to know about him in 30 easy seconds…
1. Born 200 years ago today, Viollet-le-Duc is well known for his restorative work on medieval buildings, including the Notre Dame in Paris.
2. As well as his other work on the pulpit and the third tower of the Notre Dame, he also helped the sculptor Victor Pyanet to create the cathedral’s iconic gargoyles.
3. During his long architectural career, Viollet-le-Duc also worked on many other buildings including the cathedrals of Amiens, Chartres, and Reims; the château of Pierrefonds; Sainte Chapelle; and the city of Carcassonne.
4. He was the first architect hired to design the internal structure of the Statue of Liberty. His work on Miss Liberty included helping Auguste Bartholdi to design her torch and the support system for her arm.
5. Sadly Viollet-le-Duc died suddenly before he could finish his work on the Statue of Liberty, although many of his original ideas were used by his replacement.
6. During his lifetime, he published several books which are still widely respected today. Although his work was criticised while he was alive, he is now regarded as one of the most important Gothic architects of the 19th century.
7. Viollet-le-Duc’s work is said to have influenced several Art Nouveau artists, including Gaudi.
8. During his second career in the military, Viollet-le-Duc helped defend Paris during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870-1871. His theories on military defence were used by engineers during the first and second world wars.
9. Later in life, he moved to Switzerland where he remained until his death on 17th September 1879.