He entered the _École Normale Supérieure_ in 1862. His tastes led him to philosophical studies; indeed, he had already manifested a strong tendency to moral and intellectual science. Yet his intensely practical nature could not long remain satisfied with metaphysical subtleties where he found no sure foot-hold. He became a warm advocate of experimental methods, and of the Baconian philosophy. He set himself to a study of man as he appears in society and in the family; to the analysis of his emotions and his acts, and to the deduction, from these analyses, of those rules which ought to preside over his conduct and his intellectual and moral development. He graduated from the normal school in 1865, and was immediately appointed professor of philosophy at the _lycée_ of Pau. A lecture upon Rousseau, which he delivered here, brought upon him the severe condemnation of the ultramontane party, and involved him in a controversy which has continued to the present time. In 1868, having been made a fellow of the University, he was sent to the _lycée_ of Poitiers. At this place he manifested his sympathy for the common people by a course of lectures to workmen on moral subjects. About this time he received honorable mention from the Academy for an eloquent eulogy upon Rousseau, in which he carefully portrayed the influence of Rousseau upon the government of his country and upon methods of school instruction, giving him full credit for the reform in both. From this time forward Compayré’s life has been filled with labors and with honors. In addition to his professional duties and philosophical writings, he has made careful study of the social and political questions of his country. Promoted from one post of honor to another, on the 14th of July, 1880, he was appointed Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. In 1874 he presented his theme for his doctor’s degree upon the _Philosophy of David Hume_, a work of the highest philosophical thought and language, which received a prize from the Academy. Between 1874 and 1880 his lectures were largely devoted to the subjects most closely connected with modern thought. _A Study of Darwinism_, _The Psychology of a Child_, _Educational Principles_, are subjects that indicate the sweep of his investigations. The brilliancy of his style, the liberality of his opinions, and the extent of his learning have exposed him to bitter attacks from those who envy his powers and disbelieve his doctrines; yet his popularity has continually increased, and the young professor has become a great power in the party of the republic, to whose cause he early devoted himself.