Paul Broca

French physician, surgeon, anatomist, and anthropologist.

Broca was closely associated with the development of modern physical anthropology in France and his study of brain lesions contributed significantly to understanding the origins of aphasia, the loss or impairment of the ability to form or articulate words. Broca's area, a region of the frontal lobe has been named after him. Broca’s Area is responsible for articulated language. He founded the anthropology laboratory at the École des Hautes Études, Paris (1858), and the Société d’Anthropologie de Paris (1859).

He entered medical school in Paris when he was 17, and graduated at 20, when most of his contemporaries were just beginning as medical students. In 1848, Broca became prosector of anatomy at the University of Paris Medical School, the youngest person ever appointed to the position. He also became secretary of the Société Anatomique. In 1849, he was awarded the degree of doctor of medicine.

In 1853, Broca became professor agrégé, and was appointed surgeon of the hospital. He was elected to the chair of external pathology at the faculty of medicine in 1867, and one year later professor of clinical surgery. In 1868, he became a member of the Académie de medicine, and was appointed the chair of clinical surgery. He served in this capacity until his death.

Near the end of his life, Paul Broca was elected a lifetime member of the French Senate. He was also a member of the Académie française and held honorary degrees from many other learned institutions, both in France and abroad.

Broca died on 9 July 1880, Paris, at the age of 56 due to a brain hemorrhage.