jacques was born in estagel, pyrénées-orientales. he was the brother of françois arago (1786–1853), a scientist and politician, the most famous of the six arago brothers. his parents were françois bonaventure arago (1754–1814) and marie arago (1755–1845). his four other brothers were jean arago (1788–1836), a general in the mexican army; victor arago (1792-1867), a military in france; joseph arago (1796-1860), also a military in france and mexico, étienne arago (1802–1892), a writer and politician.