Theodosius Dobzhansky

Theodosius Dobzhansky
Dobzhansky in 1966
Born
Theodosius Grigorievich Dobzhansky

(1900-01-25)January 25, 1900
DiedDecember 18, 1975(1975-12-18) (aged 75)
Alma materUniversity of Kiev
Known forBateson–Dobzhansky–Muller model
Spouse
Natalia Sivertzeva
(m. 1924)
ChildrenSophie Coe
Parents
  • Grigory Dobzhansky (father)
  • Sophia Voinarsky (mother)
Awards
Scientific career
FieldsEvolutionary biology, genetics
InstitutionsUniversity of Kiev (1921–1924)
University of Leningrad (1924–1927)
Columbia University (1927–1928, 1940–1962)
California Institute of Technology (1928–1940)
Rockefeller University (1962–1970)
University of California, Davis (1971–1975)
Doctoral advisorYuri Filipchenko
Doctoral studentsBruce Wallace, Richard Lewontin

Theodosius Grigorievich Dobzhansky (Russian: Феодосий Григорьевич Добржанский; Ukrainian: Теодосій Григорович Добржанський; January 25, 1900 – December 18, 1975) was a Russian-born American geneticist and evolutionary biologist. He was a central figure in the field of evolutionary biology for his work in shaping the modern synthesis and also popular for his support and promotion of theistic evolution as a practicing Christian. Born in the Russian Empire, Dobzhansky immigrated to the United States in 1927 at the age of 27.

His 1937 work Genetics and the Origin of Species became a major influence on the modern synthesis. He was awarded the U.S. National Medal of Science in 1964 and the Franklin Medal in 1973.