Collège de France was founded by Francis I, who appointed the first "Lecteurs royaux" in 1530. Their role was to teach disciplines which were not yet recognized at university level. Today, these former lecteurs royaux have become professors working alongside several hundred researchers, engineers, technicians and administrative staff. Collège de France is structured around chairs. They cover a huge range of disciplines ranging from mathematics to the study of major civilizations, and include physics, chemistry, biology and medicine, philosophy and literature, the social sciences and economics, prehistory, archaeology and history, etc. Four of the forty-seven chairs are annual chairs and have new incumbents every year and third are International. They promote responsiveness and scientific teaching in fields which are emerging or require a multidisciplinary approach.
georges-alexandre.le-corronc@college-de-france.fr
http://www.college-de-france.fr/site/college/index.htm