October 30

Paul Valéry was born in 1871 in Sète, France, and became a leading figure in French literature and philosophy. He began his career writing poetry that exemplified the Symbolist movement with its precise language and introspective tone. Valéry’s essay “La Jeune Parque” established his reputation for blending poetic imagery with philosophical inquiry. Throughout his life, he explored aesthetics, consciousness, and the nature of creativity in works like “Introduction à la méthode de Léonard de Vinci.” He was elected to the Académie Française in 1925 and lectured extensively on art and the mind. Valéry’s lucid style and rigorous thought influenced modern literature and criticism until his death in 1945.

Born into a family of literary and scientific distinction, Jean Rostand pursued a career in biology. He conducted seminal research on amphibian embryology, genetics, and parthenogenesis. Rostand authored dozens of books and essays, exploring themes of science, ethics, and human nature. An outspoken pacifist and humanist, he engaged in public debates on nuclear disarmament and bioethics. He was elected to the French Academy and received numerous honors for his scientific contributions. Rostand's blend of rigorous research and philosophical reflection influenced generations of thinkers.