1517-1564

French Naturalist

Pierre Belon was one of the first and most important naturalists to rely on his own exploration in order to further his research. He is considered the originator of comparative anatomy due to his systematic analysis of similarities between the skeletal systems of humans and birds. Likewise, his discussion of dolphin embryos signifies the emergence of modern embryology.

Pierre Belon was born in Soutiere, a small village near Le Mans, France, in 1517. He came from an obscure family and, before 1535, was apprenticed to René des Prez, who was the apothecary of Guillame du Prat, the bishop of Clermont. Later, Belon became the protégé of René du Bellay, the bishop of Le Mans. Because of this alliance, Belon was able to begin his study of botany at the University of Wittenberg in 1540. In 1542 Belon went to Paris. There du Prat recommended him as...