Belon, Pierre (1517-1564)

French naturalist. He travelled through much of Europe and the Near East 1547-50, and published two major works: a study of sea life (1551) and a study of birds (1555). His works are remarkable for being based on observation rather than tradition, and his study of bird skeletons anticipates comparative anatomy (Renaissance anatomy).

Although born into a poor family near Le Mans, Belon was allowed to pursue his education at the university of Paris through the support of his local bishop. He was further enabled to develop his interests in natural history by the patronage of the wealthy cardinal Tournon and, later, king Francis I, who financed his travels, which took him through Europe and to Greece, Asia Minor, Arabia, and Egypt.

In his book on sea life, La Nature et diversité des poissons, he described 110 species of marine animals. Like Rondelet, Belon used the term fish to cover virtually all animals found in the sea. His study of birds is entitled L'Histoire de la nature des oyseaux.

He was killed by robbers in the Bois de Boulogne while out late at night gathering herbs.