Editing François Arago (section)

== Last years ==

Arago remained a consistent republican to the end, and after the coup d'état of 1852, though suffering first from [[diabetes]], then from [[Bright's disease]], complicated by [[dropsy]], he resigned his post as astronomer rather than take the [[oath of allegiance]]. [[Napoleon III of France|Napoleon III]] gave directions that the old man should be in no way disturbed, and should be left free to say and do what he liked.  In the summer of 1853 Arago was advised by his physicians to try the effect of his native air, and he accordingly set out to the eastern [[Pyrenees]], but this was ineffective and he died in Paris.  His grave is at the famous [[Père Lachaise Cemetery]] in Paris. Arago was an atheist.<ref>"The same Arago who spent his time criticizing unfounded myths now peddled them. Arago the atheist now spoke of souls." Theresa Levitt, The shadow of enlightenment: optical and political transparency in France, 1789–1848, page 105.</ref>