French paleontologist and Jesuit priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin is remembered as someone who deviated from theology to science. He discovered the fossilized remains known as the Peking man in China, but faced a lot of opposition from his religious superiors when it came to publishing his scientific thoughts.
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Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
(Jesuit Priest who Co-developed the Concept of Noosphere & was Part of the Discovery of Peking Man)
Birthdate: May 1, 1881
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Orcines, France
Died: April 10, 1955
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Alcide d'Orbigny
(French Paleontologist Known for His Pathbreaking Exploration of South American Natural History)

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Birthdate: September 6, 1802
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Coueron, France
Died: June 30, 1857
Alcide d'Orbigny is regarded as the founder of micropaleontology. The French paleontologist traveled for 8 years throughout South America, exploring its natural history and geology. His study of marine fossils, sedimentary rocks, and pollen was accompanied by his iconic written work Paléontologie française. He supported the theory of catastrophism.
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Paul Gervais
(Paleontologist)

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Birthdate: September 26, 1816
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: February 10, 1879
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Marcellin Boule
(Palaeontologist)

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Birthdate: January 1, 1861
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Montsalvy, France
Died: July 4, 1942
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Jean-Jacques Hublin
(Paleoanthropologist)

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Birthdate: November 30, 1953
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Mostaganem, Algeria
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Joachim Barrande
(Geologist)

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Birthdate: August 11, 1799
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Saugues, France
Died: October 5, 1883
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Édouard Lartet
(Geologist)

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Birthdate: April 15, 1801
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Castelnau-Barbarens, France
Died: January 28, 1871
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Émile Haug
(Geologist)

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Birthdate: June 19, 1861
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Drusenheim, France
Died: August 28, 1927