Georges Leopold Chretien Frederic Dagobert, Baron Cuvier, French anatomist, 19th century. Cuvier (1769-1832) was a founder of comparative anatomy and father of paleontology. He expanded the Linnaeus system of classification, grouping related classes into phyla. Cuvier opposed theories of evolution and Lamarck's theory of the inheritance of acquired characteristics (Transformism), proposing instead a catastrophist theory of new creation of life after periodic global disasters. Obverse of a commemorative medal.