Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille
Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille was a French historian born in 1810 just outside of Carcassonne. He dedicated a life of study to the social and economic history of the Aude region and in particular to the ruined cité of Carcassonne. In 1839 he discovered the tomb of Bishop Guillaume Radulphe in the south chapel of St. Nazaire and managed to secure the cathedral’s subsequent preservation by having it listed under the Historic Monuments Act. In 1849 he led a campaign to save to cité from demolition by the French government and hence is considered the ‘first saviour’ in the story of the cité’s preservation. His work culminated in 1850 with the publication of his book Monuments militaires et religieux de la cité de Carcassonne.
His bust sits in the Place du Chateau in the cité of Carcassonne.
(image credit: Pinpin)
