Delafontaine studied with Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac at the University of Geneva. He also worked at the University of Geneva.  
Delafontaine moved to the United States of America, arriving in New York in 1870, and later becoming a naturalized citizen. 
He taught in Chicago, Illinois at city high schools, and at a women's college.
He also worked as an analytical chemist with the
Chicago Police Department.