He first devoted himself to the study of law, but gradually drifted to botany and finally succeeded to his father's chair at the University of Geneva.
From 1837-1838 he studied botany at the University of Geneva under Augustin and Alphonse Pyramus de Candolle, but had to interrupt his studies due to financial problems.
Alphonse Daudet | Alphonse Mucha | Alphonse Merrheim | Augustin Pyramus de Candolle | Alphonse de Lamartine | Pyramus and Thisbe | Alphonse Juin | Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr | Alphonse Royer | Alphonse Milne-Edwards | Alphonse Legros | Louis Alphonse, Duke of Anjou | Louis-Alphonse Boyer | Camille Alphonse Faure | Alphonse Poaty-Souchlaty | Alphonse Loubat | Alphonse Le Gastelois | Alphonse James de Rothschild | Alphonse Boudard | Alphonse A. Kolb | Pyramus and Thisbe (opera) | HMS ''Pyramus'' | HMS Pyramus | Claude Alphonse Delangle | Camille Alphonse Trézel | Alphonse Yanghat | Alphonse Toussenel | Alphonse "Sonny Red" Indelicato | Alphonse Sagebien | Alphonse Roy |