Gaspard Monge, Comte de P矇luse (May 9, 1746 - July 28, 1818) was a French mathematician and the inventor of descriptive geometry. After a year at the ?cole Royale he was asked to produce a plan for a fortification in such a way as to optimize its defensive arrangement. There was an established method for doing this, but he devised a way of solving the problems by using drawings. The value of the work was recognized, and his exceptional abilities were recognized. The French Revolution completely changed the course of his career. He became friendly with of Napoleon and was appointed as the Director of the ?cole Polytechnique. He joined Napoleon's expedition to Egypt, taking part with Berthollet and in the scientific work of the Institut d'?gypte and Egyptian Institute of Sciences and Arts. They accompanied Bonaparte to Syria, and returned with him in 1798. Monge was appointed president of the Egyptian commission, and he resumed his connection with the ?cole Polytechnique. With the fall of Napoleon he had all of his honors taken away. He died in 1818 at the age of 72. His remains was later transferred to the Panth矇on in Paris. His is one of the 72 names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower.