 In 1841, when the young slave Edmond Albius (1829-1880) discovered the process of artificial insemination of vanilla, Richard claimed to have discovered the technique three or four years earlier.His story created serious doubts about Albius' claims, despite the support for Albius of Féréol Marie Bellier de Beaumont (1759-1831), naturalist Eugène Volcy Focard, and Méziaires of Lepervanche.By the end of the 20th century, Albius was considered the true discoverer.