The New Student's Reference Work/Erard, Sebastien

Erard (ā̇r′ār′), Sebastien, a French inventor and maker of musical instruments, was born at Strassburg, April 5, 1752. Going to Paris at sixteen, he started in business as a maker of pianos, completing his first one in 1776 or 1777. This was one of the earliest pianos made in France. He was soon considered the best pianoforte maker in Europe. The French Revolution drove him to London, where he established a factory. The grand piano was his invention, with a double-action harp and many other valuable improvements in the making of both pianos and harps. His pianos still have a reputation. He died at Passy, near Paris, Aug. 5, 1831.