Julian Huxley (1887–1975)

Sir Julian Huxley, elder brother of novelist Aldous Huxley, was born in London, the eldest son of Leonard Huxley, biographer and historian; "the nephew of Mrs. Humphrey Ward"; the grand nephew of Matthew Arnold; and the grandson of the great scientist Thomas Henry Huxley. Julian Huxley began afficher plus gathering honors while at Balliol College, and Oxford University, where he lectured on zoology for two years (1910--1912). One of the leading popularizers of science, he was a gifted master of lucid prose and wrote innumerable articles and books, many on science for the layperson on subjects ranging from "the evolutionary conception of God to the politics of ants." Huxley is credited with coining the term ethology to indicate the science of animal behavior. He advocated a scientific humanism as a substitute for the mysticism of the past. Huxley was interested in politics, as well as science, serving as the first director-general of UNESCO (1946--48). In January 1960, Huxley received the New York University Medal following his lecture entitled "Evolution in Our Time." "My final belief is life," was his stated philosophy. . afficher moins