The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Marbeau, Jean Baptiste Firmin

MARBEAU, Jean Baptiste Firmin,, French philanthropist, founder of the day nursery: b. Brives, 18 May 1798; d. Saint Cloud, 10 Oct. 1875. He practised law in Paris, and in 1841, being deputed to inspect the charitable institutions of the first arrondissement of the city, planned the crèche or day nursery for the care of children of working mothers. The first crèche was opened 14 Nov. 1844 at Chaillot; a Société des Crèches was founded in 1846; and his plan was described in his book, ‘Des Crèches’ (1845). Marbeau played a less prominent part in other charities and wrote on various problems of pauperism. Consult the ‘Life’ by Roussel (1876).