The article traces the evolution of a topological notion of social epistemology in Ford Madox Ford's protomodernist writing to key intellectual sources in late nineteenth century France. Most notably these include Henri Poincaré and Gabriel Tarde. The article reveals the importance of French culture and language in informing Ford's seminal influence on English modernists. As such, it forms part of a collaborative consultation process in the retranslation of the tetralogy.