Fernand Seguin

Fernand Seguin
Born(1922-06-09)June 9, 1922
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DiedJune 19, 1988(1988-06-19) (aged 66)
Montreal, Quebec
AwardsKalinga Prize (1977)
Scientific career
FieldsBiochemistry

Fernand Seguin, CC OQ (June 9, 1922 – June 19, 1988) was a Canadian biochemist, professor and host of science programs on radio and television.

In fact, Seguin, who hosted a program on Radio-Canada's TV network in 1954, is believed to be the first broadcaster to present a science program on television in Canada.[1]

He was the first Canadian to receive the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science, the only other being David Suzuki in 1986. His nomination was advanced as the inaugural act of l’Association des communicateurs scientifiques du Québec (ACS).

Honours

  • 1952 – Co-winner of a Canadian Radio Award from the Canadian Association for Adult Education for his radio programme Carte blanche in the "light entertainment" category.[2]
  • 1961 – Médaille Archambault (medal) from l’Association canadienne-française pour l’avancement des sciences (French-Canadian Association for the Advancement of Science) for his writings and films that popularized science topics, notably his pioneering films about the history of science. The medal was "presented annually for works of outstanding practical merit by French-speaking scientists".[3][4]
  • 1968 – Co-winner of the Prix Mandarine (award) for his interview television programme Le Sel de la semaine, as determined by a panel of journalists to be the best radio or television show of the year in the French language in Quebec.[5][6][7]
  • 1968 – Trophée "Méritas" (award) for best television interviewer, as determined by a vote of readers of the newspapers and magazines of Publications Péladeau and presented at the annual Gala des Artistes.[8][9][10]
  • 1975 – Honorary doctorate from Université de Sherbrooke.[11]
  • 1977 – Prix de journalisme Olivar-Asselin (journalism award) from La Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal "for his work in making scientific matters understandable to the public."[12][13]
  • 1978 – UNESCO Kalinga Prize (1977) for the Popularization of Science (announced October 1978).[14][15][16]
  • 1978 – Officer of the Order of Canada; promoted to Companion in 1988.[17][18]
  • 1979 – Honorary doctorate from Concordia University.[19][20]
  • 1979 – Médaille Fernand-Seguin (medal) was established in his honour at Université de Sherbrooke for students excelling in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. One medal was awarded annually in each department.[21]
  • 1979 – Co-winner of the Prix de journalisme Judith-Jasmin (journalism award) from Cercle des femmes journalistes (Circle of Women Journalists) for a television documentary on cancer.[22]
  • 1980 – Honorary doctorate from Université de Montréal.[23]
  • 1983 – Honorary doctorate from Université du Québec.[24]
  • 1985 – Officer of the National Order of Quebec.[25]
  • 1988 – Sandford Fleming Medal from the Royal Canadian Institute "en reconnaissance de son travail inlassable pour la communication des connaissances scientifiques" (in recognition of his tireless work in the communication of scientific knowledge).[26]
  • 1988 – Member Emeritus of l’Association canadienne-française pour l’avancement des sciences.[27]
  • 1988 – École Fernand-Seguin (primary school) in Montréal was named in his honour.[28]
  • 1988 – Prix du Grand public (literary award) by a vote of the readers of the La Presse newspaper for his book Le cristal et la chimère.[29]
  • 1989 – Bourses Fernand-Seguin (scholarships) were named in his honour by l’Association canadienne-française pour l’avancement des sciences, with each scholarship comprising a monetary prize and an internship in science communication with a media organization.[30][31] The scholarships were previously known as Concours de journalisme scientifique (Science Journalism Contests)[32][33] since their establishment in December 1981.[A]
  • 1989 – Mont Fernand-Seguin in Gaspésie National Park was named in his honour.[40][41]
  • 1989 – Parc (Centre écologique) Fernand-Seguin in Châteauguay was named in his honour.[42][43][44]
  • 1989 – École Fernand-Seguin (primary school) in Sainte-Foy was named in his honour.[45]
  • 1991 – École Fernand-Seguin (secondary school) in Candiac was named in his honour.[46]

References

  1. ^ ICI.Radio-Canada.ca, Zone Science -. "Fernand Seguin, le savant de Radio-Canada". Radio-Canada.ca (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2018-06-20..
  2. ^ "André Roche gagne un 'Canadian Radio Award'", Photo-journal (Montréal), Nov 13, 1952, p. 3. (Accessed Jan 9, 2026.)
  3. ^ "Médaille de l'ACFAS", La Presse (Montréal), Oct 30, 1961, p. 9. (Accessed Dec 30, 2025.)
  4. ^ "Montreal Man Elected Head of Scientists", The Gazette (Montréal), p. 4.
  5. ^ "Regardez bien, regardez 'Le Sel de la semaine': tel est le verdict des responsables des prix Mandarine et Eclair", Ici Radio-Canada (Montréal), Apr 6, 1968, p. 20 (Accessed Jan 9, 2026.).
  6. ^ "Artistes, télévision et commerciaux jugés par les journalistes: Voici les récipiendaires des prix: ..., Télé-radiomonde (Montréal), Apr 6, 1968, p. 13. (Accessed Jan 9, 2026.)
  7. ^ "Les Prix Orange et Citron seront attribués sous peu à la télévision", Télé-radiomonde (Montréal), Feb 27, 1965, p. 3. (Accessed Jan 9, 2026.)
  8. ^ Bernard Dubé, "Radio and Television: ... French Artists Honored", The Gazette (Montréal), Jun 6, 1968, p. 28.
  9. ^ "La course aux Méritas", Télé-radiomonde (Montréal), Jun 8, 1968, pp. 32-34; and "600 artistes arrivent à leur Gala!", pp. 10-14. (Accessed Jan 9, 2026.)
  10. ^ "Le prochain Gala des Artistes", Télé-radiomonde (Montréal), Jan 7, 1967, p. 3. (Accessed Jan 9, 2026.)
  11. ^ "University called essential for forming Quebec culture", Sherbrooke Record, Jun 9, 1975, p. 3. (Accessed Dec 30, 1975.)
  12. ^ "Le prix Olivar-Asselin est décerné à Fernand Séguin", Le Devoir (Montréal), Oct 25, 1977, p. 23.
  13. ^ "Librarian honored", Montreal Star, Nov 2, 1977, p. D19 (online p. 55).
  14. ^ "Fernand Seguin, Prix Kalinga 1977", Québec Science, Nov 1978, Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 22–23; and Gilles Provost, "Un chantre devenu critique", pp. 24–27.
  15. ^ "Canadian researcher wins scientific award", Edmonton Journal, Oct 23, 1978, p. B6 (online p. 22).
  16. ^ "Public critical of science news", The Citizen (Ottawa), Nov 23, 1978, p. 47.
  17. ^ "Financier, teacher, among 60 named to Order of Canada", The Gazette (Montréal), Jul 8, 1978, p. 71.
  18. ^ John Ibbitson, "Order of Canada recipient target of protestors", Ottawa Citizen, Nov 9, 1988, p. 25.
  19. ^ "Honorary Degree Citation - Fernand Seguin* | Concordia University Archives". archives.concordia.ca. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
  20. ^ "Peterson, Proulx and Seguin honoured", Sherbrooke Record, May 25, 1979, p. 5. (Accessed Dec 30, 2025.)
  21. ^ "Fernand Séguin honoré hier à l'Université: 'Témoignage de solidarité'", La Tribune (Sherbrooke), Jun 16, 1979, p. 2. (Accessed Jan 5, 2025.)
  22. ^ "Concours Judith-Jasmin: 3 lauréats seulement", La Pressse (Montréal), Oct 12, 1979, p. B9.
  23. ^ "Collation des grades à l'Université de Montréal: Peyrefitte devise sur les notions du crime et du châtiment", La Presse (Montréal), May 31, 1980, p. A21. (Accessed Dec 30, 2025).
  24. ^ J.-Claude Rivard, "L’UQ offrira trois autres doctorats honorifiques", Le Soleil (Québec), Sep 3, 1983, p. F4. (Accessed Dec 30, 2025.)
  25. ^ "Les premiers titulaires de l'Ordre du Québec", La Presse (Montréal), Jun 26, 1985, p. B1. (Accessed Dec 30, 2025.)
  26. ^ Carole Thibaudeau, "La personnalité de la semaine: L'Institut Royal du Canada rend hommage au père de la vulgarisation scientifique au Québec", La Presse (Montréal), Mar 20, 1988, p. B3 (Includes a detailed profile of Seguin in French.); and "La médaille Sanford-Fleming à Fernand Seguin", p. B4. (Accessed Jan 1, 2026.)
  27. ^ Jean-Marie Demers, Archiviste de l’Acfas, "Fernand Seguin, un grand communicateur", La Tribune (Sherbrooke), Jun 30, 1988, p. B2. (Accessed Jan 8, 2026.)
  28. ^ "Une école de la CÉCM portera le nom de Fernand Seguin", La Presse (Montréal), Sep 14, 1988, p. A7. (Accessed Dec 30, 2025.)
  29. ^ Georges Lamon, "Au Salon du livre de Montréal: Fernand Seguin honoré du Prix du Grand public", La Presse (Montréal), Nov 21, 1988, p. A10. (Accessed Jan 5, 2026.)
  30. ^ "Hommage à Fernand Seguin", La Presse (Montréal), Oct 17, 1988, p. A2. (Accessed Jan 5, 2026).
  31. ^ "Bourses Fernand-Seguin: Concours de journalisme scientifique", Interface (la revue de l'ACFAS), Jan-Feb 1989, Vol. 10, No. 1, p. 10 (Accessed Jan 6, 2026.)
  32. ^ "Jeune lauréate en stage au Devoir", Le Devoir (Montréal), Jun 1, 1987, p. 2. (Includes a photograph of Seguin presenting to one of the recipients.) (Accessed Jan 6, 2026.)
  33. ^ "Concours de journalisme scientifique", Interface (la revue de l'ACFAS), Jan-Feb 1988, Vol. 9, No. 1, p. 4. (Accessed Jan 6, 2026.)
  34. ^ "Concours de journalisme scientifique", Le Devoir (Montréal), Dec 19, 1981, p. 8. (Accessed Jan 10, 2026.)
  35. ^ "Concours de journalisme scientifique", Le Devoir (Montréal), Dec 30, 1986, p. 3. (Accessed Jan 10, 2026.)
  36. ^ "Concours de journalisme scientifique 1986-1987", Interface (la revue de l'Acfas), Jan-Feb 1987, Vol. 8, No. 1, p. 35. (Accessed Jan 10, 2026.)
  37. ^ "Les mots de la science", Le Devoir (Montréal), Nov 29, 1993, p. A7. (Accessed Jan 10, 2026.)
  38. ^ "Disparition en catimini des prix Fernand-Seguin", Le Devoir (Montréal), Jun 15, 1993, p. B1. (Accessed Jan 10, 2026.)
  39. ^ "Bourse Fernand-Seguin", La Presse (Montréal), Feb 27, 1994, p. C5. (Accessed Jan 10, 2026.)
  40. ^ "Mont Fernand-Seguin", Québec, Commission de toponymie. (Accessed Dec 30, 2025.)
  41. ^ "Une montagne et une rue à la mémoire de Fernand Seguin", La Presse (Montréal), Jun 27, 1989, p. A5. (Accessed Jan 6, 2026.)
  42. ^ Maryse Gervais, "L'ATRM lance sa revue Bonjour Montérégie", Le Canada français (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu), Jul 5, 1989, p. A29. (Accessed Jan 6, 2026.)
  43. ^ Gazette officielle du Québec, Partie I, Nov 18, 1989, 120e année (Vol. 120), No. 45A, pp. 4667, 4671 & 4725 (new official names Apr 1, 1988, to Mar 31, 1989); Oct 20, 1990, 122e année (Vol. 122), No. 41A, pp. 4385, 4389 & 4462 (new official names Apr 1, 1989, to Mar 31, 1990). (Accessed Jan 6, 2026.)
  44. ^ "Centre écologique Fernand-Seguin" (formerly Parc Fernand-Seguin), Québec, Commission de toponymie. (Accessed Jan 6, 2026.)
  45. ^ "Une école de Ste-Foy perpétuera le nom de Fernand Séguin", Le Soleil (Québec), Oct 12, 1989, p. B7. (Accessed Jan 5, 2026.)
  46. ^ "À l’école Fernand-Séguin de Candiac: Une rentrée scolaire fort remarquée", Le Reflet régional, Sep 8, 1991, p. 5. (Accessed Dec 30, 2025.)
  1. ^ The Concours de journalisme scientifique were established by the Government of Quebec in December 1981 for presentations in 1982. The Association assumed administration of the Concours in December 1986 for presentations in 1987.[34][35][36]
    The programme was discontinued in 1992 due to the withdrawal of government funds. It was revived in 1994 by the Association des communicateurs scientifiques du Québec (Association of Science Communicators of Quebec) with private and government funding as a single Bourse Fernand-Seguin (instead of the previous three).[37][38][39]


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