Man Adapting

Rene Dubos was a famous microbiologist, as well as a writer, educator, and environmentalist. Born and educated in France, Dubos came to the United States in 1924 to join the research staff of Rutgers University. In 1927 he was invited to join the staff of Rockefeller University, where he spent practically his entire career. At Rockefeller University, Dubos pioneered research in antibiotics for commercial use during the 1940s. In 1939 he discovered tyrothricin, the first commercially produced antibiotic. As he grew older, his interests shifted from microbiology to humanistic and social-environmental issues. He devoted much of his writing to environmental problems and their impact on human beings. Dubos served as president of several professional organizations in the sciences, wrote 20 books, and was awarded more than a score of prizes by the scientific community. As an emeritus professor at Rockefeller University he continued to write until his death.