Fresnel

Fresnel, Augustin Jean (1788-1827), a celebrated French optician, born at Broglie, department of the Eure. He was the first to construct compound lenses as substitutes for mirrors, and helped to establish the undulatory theory of light by his discoveries and deductions. He was a friend of Arago, and a fellow of the Royal Society; and his works were published by the French Government long after his death.