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This article takes advantage of the systematic exploration of the archives of the Academy of Sciences made within the framework of the critical edition in progress of the complete works of Jean Le Rond D’Alembert (CNRS éditions). The large amount of data collected makes it possible to better understand the different facets of the work of the science academician in the time of Enlightenment. Unlike the current era, not all academics have the same rights and duties. It is therefore important to specify the different types of academicians before studying their activity. It is about personal research, academic expertise and interaction with the scientific world. Expertise relates both to theoretical results and to technical inventions (processes or machines). In addition to the scientific watch in his field of research, the academician must also favor the collection of data of observations necessary for the validation of the theories. An emblematic figure, D’Alembert also shows other poorly understood academic functions such as director or price commissioner; but also to highlight the uses and sociability within the institution.
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