Hans Selye

Date of Birth: January 26, 1907

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: October 16, 1982

Biography

Hans Selye was an Austrian-Canadian endocrinologist known for his pioneering research on the non-specific response of the body to stress, which he termed the “General Adaptation Syndrome” (GAS). Selye was born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, and later became a naturalized Canadian citizen. He studied medicine at the German University of Prague, where he earned an M.D. in 1929 and a Ph.D. in chemistry in 1931. His groundbreaking work began in 1936 when he published a seminal paper describing the physiological changes observed in rats subjected to various stressors. This work laid the foundation for the field of stress research and significantly influenced the understanding of how stress affects human health. Selye spent much of his career at the Université de Montréal, where he established the Institute of Experimental Medicine and Surgery. Over his lifetime, he published more than 1,700 research papers and 39 books on the subject of stress. His work earned him numerous accolades, including multiple nominations for the Nobel Prize.

5 Interesting Facts about Hans Selye

1. Hans Selye is often referred to as the “father of stress research.”

2. He coined the term “stress” in the context of biological and psychological sciences.

3. Selye was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 17 times.

4. He had a multilingual background and was fluent in Hungarian, German, French, and English.

5. Selye received more than 40 honorary doctorates from various universities around the world.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hans Selye

1. “It is not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.”

2. “Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.”

3. “Man should not try to avoid stress any more than he would shun food, love, or exercise.”

4. “As much as we thirst for approval, we dread condemnation.”

5. “Every stress leaves an indelible scar, and the organism pays for its survival after a stressful situation by becoming a little older.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific financial details are scarce, it is estimated that Hans Selye’s highest net worth was modest compared to contemporary figures in the scientific community, primarily derived from his academic salary, book royalties, and speaking engagements.

Children

Hans Selye had four children: Three daughters and one son. His son, Hans Selye Jr., followed in his father’s scientific footsteps to some extent but pursued a career in the medical field rather than stress research.