Adolf Portmann, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Adolf Portmann

Swiss zoologist (1897-1982)

Date of Birth: 27-May-1897

Place of Birth: Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland

Date of Death: 28-Jun-1982

Profession: zoologist, biologist, pedagogue, university teacher, marine biologist, anthropologist

Nationality: Switzerland

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Adolf Portmann (27 May 1897 – 28 June 1982) was a zoologist. Born in Basel, Switzerland, he studied zoology at the University of Basel and worked later in Geneva, Munich, Paris and Berlin, but mainly in marine biology laboratories in France (Banyuls-sur-Mer, Roscoff, Villefranche-sur-Mer) and Helgoland. In 1931 he became professor of zoology in Basel.
His main research areas covered marine biology and comparative morphology of vertebrates.
His work was often interdisciplinary comprising sociological and philosophical aspects of life of animals and humans. Portmann was known for his work in theoretical biology and his comparative studies on morphology and behavior.
His research has influenced the field of biosemiotics.Portmann died in Binningen near Basel on 28 June 1982.