ABSTRACT
The question has sometimes been asked why Cournot’s reputation has not been equal to the merit of his work, and why with friends, opportunities, and ability, theoretical and practical, of the first order, he did not rise to a higher rank in French scientific and political history. The complete answer to this question would require an analysis of his many-sided publications (…). But, so far as purely personal causes are concerned, a partial answer may be given: it was his masterful independence and absolute truthfulness, together with an invincible repugnance to self-advertisement and the exploitation of friends.
