SUMMARY. — Auguste Comte stated that «one cannot know a science without knowing its history ». His disciples took up this line at the Société positiviste and in numerous public courses and lectures (at town halls and in Popular libraries). As a result of the repeated requests of the positivists, the teaching of history of science was ultimately established, and moreover at the highest level with the creation of a chair of history of science at the Collège de France. This chair was occupied first by Pierre Laffitte, Comte's designated successor, and then by Grégoire Wyrouboff, the cofounder of the journal La Philosophie positive. On examination the teaching given appears very general and often repetitious, and the largely commemorative history taught did not lead to any in-depth examination of the achievements and blind alleys of scientific development. « Dogmatic » statement got the upper hand of « historical » study.