Named in memory of Jean Le Rond d’Alembert (1717–1783), French philosopher and mathematician, famous for his mechanical principle (1742). He introduced the calculus of partial differences and solved the problem of the precession of the equinoxes. He is perhaps best remembered for his association with Diderot {see planet  (5351)} in the preparation of the Encyclopedia. D’Alembert was much interested in music, both as a science and as an art. (M 23793) _ _.