# François Jacob

> French biologist and geneticist, winner of the Nobel Prize in 1965

**Wikidata**: [Q218311](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q218311)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/François_Jacob)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/francois-jacob

## Summary
François Jacob was a French biologist, geneticist, and Nobel Prize laureate renowned for his contributions to the fields of microbiology, genetics, and biochemistry. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1965 for his work on viral genetics and restriction enzymes. Throughout his career, he held prestigious academic positions and was recognized as a member of numerous prominent scientific academies worldwide.

## Biography
- **Born:** June 17, 1920
- **Nationality:** France
- **Education:** Lycée Carnot, Paris Medical Faculty
- **Known for:** Nobel-winning contributions to the understanding of viral genetics and restriction enzymes; work as a geneticist and biochemist.
- **Employer(s:** Q202660 (specific name not provided in source), Collège de France (affiliated)
- **Field(s):** Microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, physiology

## Contributions
François Jacob made significant contributions to the understanding of viral genetics and restriction enzymes, work for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1965 alongside Salvador Luria and Werner Arber. His research helped shape the modern understanding of microbial genetics. Beyond his scientific research, he contributed to literature as an autobiographer, documenting his life and work. He also engaged in the arts, holding occupations as a film producer and film editor.

## FAQs
**What awards did François Jacob receive?**
François Jacob received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1965, as well as the Grand Prix Charles-Leopold Mayer, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the Croix de guerre 1939–1945, the Sir Hans Krebs Medal, the Leeuwenhoek Lecture, the Arnold-Reymond prize, and the Mendel Medal.

**Where was François Jacob educated?**
He attended the Lycée Carnot and the Paris Medical Faculty.

**Which scientific organizations was François Jacob a member of?**
He was a member of the French Academy of Sciences, the Académie Française, the Royal Society, the National Academy of Sciences, the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the European Molecular Biology Organization, the American Philosophical Society, the International Academy of the History of Science, and Academia Europaea.

**Did François Jacob serve in the military?**
Yes, he was involved in World War II and was recognized with the Croix de guerre 1939–1945 military decoration.

**What honorary degrees did François Jacob hold?**
He held honorary doctorates from the University of Valencia, NOVA University Lisbon, and the Autonomous University of Madrid.

## Why They Matter
François Jacob's work was pivotal in advancing the understanding of genetics at a molecular level, particularly regarding viral genetics and restriction enzymes. His findings, which earned him the Nobel Prize, have had a lasting impact on the fields of microbiology and genetic engineering. His extensive membership in leading global academies, including the Royal Society and the French Academy of Sciences, underscores his significant influence on international scientific discourse and policy.

## Notable For
- **Nobel Prize Winner:** Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1965.
- **Military Service:** Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1939–1945 for service in World War II.
- **High Honors:** Recipient of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest French order of merit.
- **Academic Membership:** Member of the Académie Française and the French Academy of Sciences.
- **Global Recognition:** Elected member of the Royal Society (UK), National Academy of Sciences (USA), and Academia Europaea.
- **Lectures:** Delivered the Leeuwenhoek Lecture prize lecture.
- **Other Awards:** Recipient of the Sir Hans Krebs Medal, Grand Prix Charles-Leopold Mayer, Arnold-Reymond prize, and Mendel Medal.

## Body

### Professional Identity and Occupations
François Jacob was a multifaceted professional whose primary work was in the sciences. He was identified as a human being within the dataset and held several specific occupations. He was a scientist specialized in biochemistry (biochemist), a biologist who studied genetics (geneticist), and a scientist who studied the function of living systems (physiologist). Additionally, he served as a person teaching at a university or college (university teacher) and held an academic position at universities and research institutions (professor). Beyond the sciences, he was a person who wrote their autobiography (autobiographer) and held roles in the film industry as a film producer and film editor.

### Education and Early Life
Jacob's educational background included attendance at the Lycée Carnot, a school located in Paris. He furthered his education at the Paris Medical Faculty, a French medical school that operated from 1808 to 1970. His formative years and education were set against the backdrop of France, a Western European country known for its significant contributions to science and culture.

### Scientific Contributions and Research
Jacob's most prominent contributions lie in the field of microbiology, specifically the study of microscopic organisms. He is noted for making Nobel-winning contributions to the understanding of viral genetics and restriction enzymes. This work was conducted in association with other prominent scientists such as Salvador Luria and Werner Arber. His research in this area was foundational for the broader understanding of genetics and the function of living systems.

### Affiliations and Memberships
Throughout his career, Jacob was affiliated with a vast array of prestigious learned societies and academies across the globe. His memberships included:
*   **France:** The French Academy of Sciences (founded 1666) and the Académie Française.
*   **United Kingdom:** The Royal Society, a learned society for science founded in 1660.
*   **United States:** The National Academy of Sciences (science branch of the U.S. National Academies), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society.
*   **Europe:** The European Molecular Biology Organization, Academia Europaea (a pan-European academy), and the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters.
*   **Other International Bodies:** The Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the International Academy of the History of Science.

He was also affiliated with the Collège de France, a higher education and research establishment in Paris.

### Awards and Honors
Jacob received extensive recognition for his work, including:
*   **Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1965):** One of the five Nobel Prizes established by Alfred Nobel.
*   **Grand Prix Charles-Leopold Mayer:** An award established in 1961.
*   **Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour:** The fifth rank of the French Legion of Honour.
*   **Croix de guerre 1939–1945:** A French military decoration recognizing his service during World War II.
*   **Sir Hans Krebs Medal:** An award established in 1968.
*   **Leeuwenhoek Lecture:** A prize lecture of the Royal Society.
*   **Arnold-Reymond Prize:** A prize for achievement in the philosophy of sciences, established in 1944 in Switzerland.
*   **Mendel Medal:** A UK award for genetics researchers.
*   **Honorary Doctorates:** He received honorary doctorates from the University of Valencia, NOVA University Lisbon, and the Autonomous University of Madrid.

### Military Service
Jacob's life was impacted by global conflict, specifically World War II (1939–1945). His involvement in this conflict is documented by his receipt of the Croix de guerre 1939–1945, a French military decoration awarded for service during the war.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. Fichier des personnes décédées mirror
3. BnF authorities
4. datos.bne.es
5. SUDOC
6. list of professors at Collège de France
7. Catalog of the Digital Discoverability Project of the RDIFQ
8. [The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1965. Nobel Foundation](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1965/summary/)
9. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
10. [Source](https://www.uv.es/uvweb/rectorado/es/premios-distinciones/doctores-honoris-causa/doctores-honoris-causa-siglo-xx/fecha-investidura/acto-investidura-doctor-honoris-causa-del-excm-sr-dr-francois-jacob-1285872205498/Honoris.html?id=1285878597808)
11. Complete List of Royal Society Fellows 1660-2007
12. [Source](https://uniris.unil.ch/pandore/notice/prix-arnold-reymond-1974/)
13. [Source](https://genetics.org.uk/medals-and-prizes/genetics-society-medals-and-lectures/mendel-medal/)
14. International Standard Name Identifier
15. Virtual International Authority File
16. CiNii Research
17. NNDB
18. www.ae-info.org
19. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
20. SNAC
21. Find a Grave
22. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
23. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
24. Roglo
25. Babelio
26. Croatian Encyclopedia
27. The Fine Art Archive
28. La France savante
29. Base biographique
30. Munzinger Personen
31. [François Jacob, French biologist/geneticist, dies at 92|nytimes.com](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/26/science/francois-jacob-geneticist-who-pointed-to-how-traits-are-inherited-dies-at-92.html?ref=obituaries)
32. [birth certificate](https://recherche-archives.nancy.fr/viewer/series/2_E/2_E_352)
33. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
34. Quora
35. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data
36. Catalogo of the National Library of India