Henri, descended of a noble family of Languedoc, was born at Aramon, in the diocese of Uzès, on the 29th of May 1695. He studied the mathematics without a master; and went to Paris in 1718, where he formed a close friendship with the illustrious Reaumur. In 1724 he was admitted a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, and in a few years he rose to the rank of pensioner. Besides a great number of Memoirs printed in the collection of that society, he published in 1731 the Theory of the Working of Ships, in one volume 4to, a work of considerable merit, which was translated into English, and caused the author to be admitted into the Royal Society of London. In the year 1740 the States-General of Languedoc made choice of him as their chief engineer, and at the same time gave him the appointment of inspector-general of the canal which unites the two seas. The city of Montpellier being in want of water, Pitot brought from a distance of three leagues the water of two springs, which furnish a plentiful supply of that necessary article. The water is brought to the magnificent Place du Peyron, and thence distributed throughout the city. This work is the admiration of all strangers. In 1754 Pitot was honoured with the Order of St Michael. He died in 1771, aged seventy-six. Pitot was a practical philosopher, and a man of uncommon probity and candour. He was a member of the Royal Society of Sciences of Montpellier, before which his éloge was pronounced in 1772 by M. de Ratte, perpetual secretary, in presence of the states of Languedoc; and in the Royal Academy of Sciences of Paris, the same honour was done him by the Abbé de Fouché, who was then secretary.