Jean-Henri Fabre

The Insect Man

Jean-Henri Fabre was a French naturalist, entomologist (insect scientist), and author, famous for his engaging and detailed writings on the lives of insects [Wikipedia].

Life and Career

• Born: December 21, 1823, in Saint-Léons, France [Wikipedia].
• Died: October 11, 1915, at Sérignan-du-Comtat, France [Wikipedia].
• Fabre was largely self-educated due to his family's financial situation [Linda Hall Library].
• Despite this, he became a teacher at a young age and continued his studies while working [efabre.net].
• Fabre was a talented educator who also dabbled in physics, chemistry, and botany [efabre.net].
• His true passion was insects, and he spent years meticulously observing their behavior in his hometown [Wikipedia].

Work and Legacy

• Fabre's most renowned work is his series "Souvenirs entomologiques" (translated as "Entomological Memories") published between 1879 and 1910 [Linda Hall Library].
• These ten volumes presented insect behavior in a completely new way, almost like biographies of the fascinating creatures [Linda Hall Library].
• Fabre's lively writing style made entomology accessible and interesting to the general public [Wikipedia].
• His close observations documented insect instincts, such as the paralyzing techniques of wasps [Britannica].
• Recognition for his work came later in life, but Fabre is now considered a pioneer in insect behavior studies [efabre.net].