 At age seven de Candolle contracted of a severe case of hydrocephalus , which significantly affected his childhood . Nevertheless , he is said to have had great aptitude for learning , distinguishing himself in school with his rapid acquisition of knowledge in classical and general literature and his ability to write fine poetry . In 1794 , he began his scientific studies at the Collège Calvin , where he studied under Jean Pierre Étienne Vaucher , who later inspired de Candolle to make botanical science the chief pursuit of his life . 
