Fabre, Jean-Henri

(1823-1915)

   writer, entomologist

   The founder of the study of insect natural history, or entomology, Jean-Henri Fabre was born in Saint-Léon, Aveyron. An amateur scientist, in his 10-volume Souvenirs entomologiques (1879-86), Fabre popularized the field and alone set the standards of scrupulous observational patience and accuracy required for entymology. Gifted with a rare popular and humanistic style of writing, Fabre, whose influence cannot be overestimated, became well known and his works widely read. He was made a member of number of scientific societies, received a government pension, and was visited by the president of France.