Origins & Early Life

Marie Eugène François Thomas Dubois (French: [øʒɛn dybwɑ]; 28 January 1858 – 16 December 1940) was a Dutch paleoanthropologist and geologist. He earned worldwide fame for his discovery of Pithecanthropus erectus (later redesignated Homo erectus), or "Java Man". Dubois was the first anthropologist to embark upon a purposeful search for hominid fossils. Dubois was born and raised in the village of Eijsden, Limburg, where his father, Jean Joseph Balthazar Dubois, an immigrant from Thimister-Clermont, Liège, Belgium, was an apothecary, later the mayor.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He completed elemntary education at EIjsden primary scholl. He loved exploring the "caves" ("grotten", actually underground limestone mines) of Mount Saint Peter and amassed collections of plant parts, stones, insects, shells, and animal skulls. From age 12-13 on, he attended the State High School (Rijks Hogere Burgerschool) in the Limburg city of Roermond, boarding with a family there and then he dropped out. In Roermond he attended lectures on Charles Darwin's new theory of evolution given by the German biologist, Carl Vogt. Resisting his father's plan for him to train to follow in his footsteps, Dubois, encouraged...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Carl Gustaf Mosander — Contemporary (Died in 1858) (1858): Pioneering Swedish chemist known for discovering rare earth elements like lanthanum.
• E. Nesbit — Contemporary (Born in 1858) (1858): Pioneering English author and poet, celebrated for children's literature and socialist activism.
• Eleonora Duse — Contemporary (Born in 1858) (1858): Iconic Italian tragedienne, celebrated for her profound stage conviction and artistry.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Contemporary (Born in 1940) (1940): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Al Pacino — Contemporary (Born in 1940) (1940): Intense American actor celebrated for his powerful stage and screen performances.
• Alan Kay — Contemporary (Born in 1940) (1940): Pioneer of GUI, Object-Oriented Programming, and modern computing paradigms.
• Alan Alda — Shared historical date (01-28 · Born) (1936): Esteemed American actor celebrated for M*A*S*H and decades of versatile performances.
• André the Giant — Shared historical date (01-28 · Died) (1993): French wrestler and actor, famed for his colossal size and wrestling career.
• Adam Riess — Shared historical date (12-16 · Born) (1969): Astrophysicist known for evidence of accelerating universe expansion via supernovae.
• Afonso de Albuquerque — Shared historical date (12-16 · Died) (1515): Portuguese general and conquistador who built the Asian Portuguese Empire.
• 1858 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1858
• January 28 (01-28) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 28
• 1940 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1940
• December 16 (12-16) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 16