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Hubert Reeves

1932 – 2023

Canadian astrophysicist and popularizer of science

Astrophysicist University teacher Science communicator
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About Hubert Reeves

Lived 1932 – 2023 (aged 91). Hubert Reeves was a Canadian and French astrophysicist, university teacher, science communicator, environmentalist, non-fiction writer and docent.

Hubert Reeves (July 13, 1932 – October 13, 2023) was a French-Canadian astrophysicist and popularizer of science.

Early life and education Reeves was born in Montreal on July 13, 1932, and as a child lived in Léry. Reeves attended Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, a prestigious French-language college in Montreal. He obtained a BSc degree in physics from the Université de Montréal in 1953, an MSc degree from McGill University in 1956 with a thesis entitled "Formation of Positronium in Hydrogen and Helium" and a PhD degree at Cornell University in 1960.

Career From 1960 to 1964, he taught physics at the Université de Montréal and worked as an adviser to NASA. He became a Director of Research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in 1965.

Personal life and death Reeves often spoke on television, promoting science. He was married to Francine Brunel-Reeves and they had four children together. He resided in Paris, France, where he died on October 13, 2023, at the age of 91.

Honours and recognition In 1976, he was made Knight of the Ordre national du Mérite (France). In 1986, he was made Knight of the Légion d'Honneur (France). He was promoted to Officer in 1994 and to Commander in 2003. In 1991, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 2003. In 1994, he was made Officer of the National Order of Quebec. He was promoted to Grand Officer in 2017. Asteroid 9631 Hubertreeves is named after Reeves: see Meanings of asteroid names (9501-10000). In 2001, he received the Albert Einstein Medal for research on the density of the universe. In 2011, the Prix Hubert-Reeves was created. In 2019, he received the Prix Jules Janssen, the highest award of the Société astronomique de France.

Selected publications

Reeves, Hubert; Boutinot, Nelly; Casanave, Daniel; Champion, Claire (2017). Hubert Reeves nous explique la biodiversité. Bruxelles: Le Lombard. . Reeves, Hubert; Boutinot, Nelly; Casanave, Daniel; Champion, Claire (2018). Hubert Reeves nous explique la forêt. Bruxelles: Le Lombard. . Reeves, Hubert; Vandermeulen, David; Casanave, Daniel (2019). Hubert Reeves nous explique les océans. Bruxelles: Le Lombard. . Reeves, Hubert, Michel Cassé, Étienne Klein, Marc Lachièze-Rey, Roland Lehoucq, Jean-Pierre Luminet, Nathalie Palanque-Delabrouille, Nicolas Prantzos, and Sylvie Vauclair. (2019). Petite histoire de la matière et de l'univers.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
McGill University, Université de Montréal, Cornell University, Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf
Positions held
Honorary presidency, Directeur de recherche, Lecturer, Scientific consultant
Employers
Université de Montréal, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Columbia University
Awards
Companion of the Order of Canada; Petrie Prize Lecture; Grand prix de la francophonie; Knight of the National Order of Merit; Honorary doctor of the Université libre de Bruxelles; Blaise-Pascal Award; Albert Einstein Medal; Jean-Perrin Prize; Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec; Honorary doctor of the University of Sherbrooke; Honorary doctorate at the Laval University; Honorary doctor of the University of Ottawa

People in Hubert Reeves's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Hubert Reeves's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Hubert Reeves?

Canadian astrophysicist and popularizer of science (1932–2023)

When was Hubert Reeves born?

Hubert Reeves was born on 13 July 1932 in Montreal.

When did Hubert Reeves die?

Hubert Reeves died on 13 October 2023 in 13th arrondissement of Paris.

What was Hubert Reeves's occupation?

Hubert Reeves was an astrophysicist, university teacher, science communicator, environmentalist, non-fiction writer and docent.

What nationality was Hubert Reeves?

Hubert Reeves was Canadian and French.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Hubert Reeves

· Wikidata: Q1356355

· DBpedia: Hubert Reeves

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hubert Reeves. https://biography.guide/hubert-reeves/

MLA: "Hubert Reeves." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hubert-reeves/.

Chicago: "Hubert Reeves." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hubert-reeves/.

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