Jean Rostand

Jean Rostand
Born(1894-10-30)30 October 1894
Paris, France
Died4 September 1977(1977-09-04) (aged 82)
Known forMember of the Académie française
Parent(s)Edmond Rostand
Rosemonde Gérard
RelativesMaurice Rostand (brother)
AwardsKalinga Prize (1959)

Jean Edmond Cyrus Rostand (30 October 1894 – 4 September 1977) was a French biologist, historian of science, and philosopher.

Active as an experimental biologist, Rostand became famous for his work as a science writer, as well as a philosopher and an activist. His scientific work covered a variety of biological fields such as amphibian embryology, parthenogenesis and teratogeny, while his literary output extended into popular science, history of science and philosophy. His work in the area of cryogenics gave the idea of cryonics to Robert Ettinger.[1] He took an interest in ethics and morality in biology and wrote against pseudoscience, the use of science for war, wrote against racism and supported human equality and freedom.[2]

Rostand Island in Antarctica is named after him.

  1. ^ Regis, Ed (1991). Great Mambo Chicken And The Transhuman Condition: Science Slightly Over The Edge. Westview Press. pp. 85–86. ISBN 0-201-56751-2.
  2. ^ Ślaga, Szczepan W. (1980). "Biolog—Humanista z Ville-Davray Jean Rostand (1894—1977)" (PDF). Studia Philosophiae Christianae (in Polish). 16: 179–183.