Background
He was born on December 28, 1907 in Tananarive, Antananarivo, Madagascar
He was born on December 28, 1907 in Tananarive, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Educated at Tananarive, then in France, where he became a doctor of science and a doctor of medicine at the University of Paris.
After graduation he continued with research, working at the French National Scientific Research Institute. His pioneer study on blood groups, “La tache pigmentairc ct origine des Malgaches”, was the first scientific proof of the racial origins of the Malagasy. He was also highly praised for his research on the treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis.
His political activities were enlarged as a member of the delegation which negotiated independence from France in 1960. He remained in Paris as ambassador but continued his scientific career as Director of the Madagascar Scientific Research Institute. After the military take-over in May 1972 when the new government established diplomatic relations with China he was chosen ambassador and visited Peking.