Born in Paris on January 28 1920. Died August 24 2016.

Education and professional career

• Former student at ENS rue d'Ulm
• Agrégé in philosophy
• Licentiate in mathematics
• Doctor of Letters
• 1947-1953 : Professor at the University of São Paulo (Brazil)
• 1955-1962 : Professor, Faculty of Letters, Rennes
• 1962-1964 : Director, ENS d'Afrique centrale, Brazzaville
• 1964-1986 : Professor, Université de Provence, Aix-en-Provence
• 1986-1990 : Professor at the Collège de France

Awards and distinctions

• Honorary Professor, University of Saõ Paulo (Brazil)
• Honorary Professor University of Sherbrooke (Quebec)