(Jacques-Yves Cousteau) 1910-97 French Naval officer, Ichthyologist, marine biologist, Inventor and underwater explorer

He entered the French Naval Academy in 1930.

In 1943 he and his photographer, Emile Gagnan, invented the aqualung diving apparatus SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) and a process of underwater television. This was the fundamental basis for modern scuba diving as we know it.

He worked for the French resistance during WWII and was later decorated with the Legion of Honor as a result.

In 1945 he helped found the French Navy's Undersea Research Group, and commanded the research ship Calypso.

In 1957, he became director of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.

Has written widely on his subject, and produced a number of films include the The Golden Fish 1960. Contributed more to understanding of the ocean than anyone before or since. He gave us an appreciation of the pelagic ecosystem

He did a lot of research on Whalesand Sharks, particularly the Great White Shark.

He produced a very popular TV show called The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau which ran from 1968 to 1976.

He produced over 100 flms, including:

He also wrote a number of books, including:

  • "The Silent World" - 1953
  • "World Without Sun" - 1964
  • "The Shark: Splendid Savage of the Sea" - 1970
  • "The Ocean World of Jacques Cousteau" - 1978 (21 volume set)
  • "The Ocean World" - 1982
  • "Jacques Cousteau's Calypso" - 1983
  • "Jacques Cousteau's Amazon Journey" - 1984
  • "Jacques Cousteau The Ocean World" - 1985
  • "Jacques Cousteau: Whales" - 1988
  • "The Ocean World of Jacques Cousteau: Mammals in the Sea" - 1990

Many of his films were broadcast on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and on the Turner network, CNN. In all, he received 40 nominations for Emmy awards for his various films.

The Cousteau Society, 710 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, VA 23669/ (757) 722-9300
http://www.cousteau.org/

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Sources:
http://www.cousteau.org/ http://www.incwell.com/Biographies/Cousteau.html Cousteau, Jacques, "Shark: Splendid Savage of the Sea", Doubleday, NY, 1970
Cousteau, Jacques, "Silent World", Ballentine Books, NY, 1953.
Last Updated 05.23.04