Hans selye (1907–82) was born in vienna, austria. he was educated in Prague, Paris and rome, entering medical school when he was 18. he eventually earned three doctorates (Md, Phd and dsc), though...

Hans selye (1907–82) was born in vienna, austria. he was educated in Prague, Paris and rome, entering medical school when he was 18. he eventually earned three doctorates (Md, Phd and dsc), though primarily he was regarded as an endocrinologist (a doctor specializing in hormone functions). he began his pioneering research in the 1930s, and coined the term ‘stress’ in a 1936 paper. (subsequently, lectures in France and germany led to coining le stress and der Stress.) World War ii led to him moving to canada, where he became a professor at the university of Montreal and fi rst director of the institute of experimental Medicine and surgery. during the course of his career, he published over 30 books and more than 1500 articles on stress and related subjects. Whereas his fi rst observations of stress-related phenomena (while still a medical student) were greeted with scepticism, over time his research became widely acknowledged, and he was the recipient of many scientifi c honours, including 43 honorary degrees. after retiring from the university of Montreal, he founded the canadian institute of stress in 1979. he died in Montreal on 16 october 1982.