Eugène Dubois
Eugène Dubois, a researcher born in Eijsden in the province of Limburg, ranks among the most influential Dutch scientists. He is renowned for discovering Java Man, the legendary early human species Pithecanthropus erectus, now recognised as the Asian form of Homo erectus.
Dubois uncovered this early human in a bend of the Solo River near Trinil on Java between 1891 and 1892. His discovery marked the beginning of palaeoanthropology, the scientific study of human evolution, and significantly influenced public perceptions of humanity and the relationship between humans and animals.
Eugène Dubois achieved remarkable success through his scientific boldness and entrepreneurial spirit, inspiring modern researchers. He is a figure that Limburg can take pride in.
Eugène Dubois Foundation
The Eugène Dubois Foundation, established in September 2010, has the following main objectives:
- To promote awareness of Eugène Dubois’s scientific contributions, particularly in the field of evolutionary biology.
- To foster unconventional and innovative scientific approaches, especially interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary ones.
- To support initiatives and activities that make science accessible to a broad audience.
The foundation aims to accomplish these goals by securing grants and funding, establishing and maintaining professorships at Maastricht University, and publicly highlighting Dubois’ work.
The foundation’s board consists of Prof. Leon Claessens (President), Dr. Joep Orbons (Secretary), Ir. Harry Fekkers (Treasurer), Ir. Jean Pierre de Warrimont, Prof. Wim Buurman, Sueli Brodin, and Guy Dubois.
The Eugène Dubois Chair
The special “Eugène Dubois Rotating Chair” has been hosted at Maastricht University since 2015. Every year, the appointed chair teaches at the University and gives public lectures through the university’s Studium Generale programme, the Eugène Dubois Foundation, and other venues. The Eugène Dubois rotating chair is hosted at the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we are honoured to welcome Prof. Fred Spoor as the 7th Eugène Dubois Chair. An expert in human evolution affiliated with the Natural History Museum in London, Professor Spoor (born 1959) is originally from South Limburg and trained as a biologist and mammal palaeontologist at Utrecht University. He is recognised as a pioneer in the use of CT imaging for studying early hominin fossils.
In previous years, the chair has been held by Professors Frans de Waal, Mark Stoneking, Carel van Schaik, Katerina Harvati, Josė Joordens and Tijs Goldschmidt.
For more information, please visit the Eugène Dubois website (in Dutch), or contact the Eugène Dubois Foundation via info@eugenedubois.org.
