Maurice Henri Léonard Pirenne: Difference between revisions
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== Visual perception == |
== Visual perception == |
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In 1942, a joint paper authored by Hecht, Shlaer, and Pirenne marked a turning point in the understanding of visual perception near the threshold level. This paper highlighted that the perceived variability, previously attributed to biological causes, predominantly stemmed from physical fluctuations in the small quantity of light quanta absorbed by the visual photo-pigment. Pirenne's subsequent research revolved around the visual threshold and its correlation with visual acuity. His intricate neurophysiological studies of 'on' and 'off' neuronal units and their interactions found practical application in screening military personnel for [[Nyctalopia|night blindness]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Duchesne |first=Jules |date=1979 |title=Éloge de Maurice, Henri, Léonard PIRENNE (30 mai 1912 -11 octobre 1978) |url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/barb_0001-4141_1979_num_65_1_63397 |journal=Bulletins de l'Académie Royale de Belgique |volume=65 |pages=570-573 |via=Persée}}</ref> |
In 1942, a joint paper authored by Hecht, Shlaer, and Pirenne marked a turning point in the understanding of visual perception near the [[absolute threshold]] level by measuring the minimum number of [[photon]]s the [[human eye]] can detect 60% of the time.<ref>{{cite book|title=Fundamentals of Sensation and Perception|first=Michael|last=Levine|publisher=Oxford University Press|edition=3rd|location=London|date=2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Visual Perception|author-link=Tom N. Cornsweet|first=Tom|last=Cornsweet|publisher=Harcourt Publishing|date=1970|chapter=Chapters 2 and 4}}</ref><ref name="Hecht1942">{{cite journal|last1=Hecht|first1=Selig|last2=Shlaer|first2=Simon|last3=Pirenne|first3=Maurice Henri|date=1942-07-20|title=Energy, Quanta, and Vision|journal=Journal of General Physiology|volume=25|issue=6|pages=819–840|pmc=2142545|pmid=19873316|doi=10.1085/jgp.25.6.819}}</ref> This paper highlighted that the perceived variability, previously attributed to biological causes, predominantly stemmed from physical fluctuations in the small quantity of light quanta absorbed by the visual photo-pigment. Pirenne's subsequent research revolved around the visual threshold and its correlation with visual acuity. His intricate neurophysiological studies of 'on' and 'off' neuronal units and their interactions found practical application in screening military personnel for [[Nyctalopia|night blindness]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Duchesne |first=Jules |date=1979 |title=Éloge de Maurice, Henri, Léonard PIRENNE (30 mai 1912 -11 octobre 1978) |url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/barb_0001-4141_1979_num_65_1_63397 |journal=Bulletins de l'Académie Royale de Belgique |volume=65 |pages=570-573 |via=Persée}}</ref> |
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== England == |
== England == |
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Returning to England in 1941, Pirenne worked in academic positions in [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]], [[London University (UK Parliament constituency)|London]], and [[University of Aberdeen|Aberdeen]] and published ''The diffraction of X-rays and electrons by free molecules''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pirenne |first=Maurice Henri Léonard |title=The diffraction of X-rays and electrons by free molecules |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1946 |series=Cambridge series of physical chemistry |location=Cambridge}}</ref> in 1946, before joining the University Laboratory of Physiology at Oxford in 1955. His appointment as a fellow with [[Wolfson College, Oxford|Wolfson College]] recognised his teaching methods, remembered for their hands-on demonstrations and pragmatic approach, based on his meticulous preparation. He married, on 16 May 1947, Katherine ('Kathy') Alice Mary Clutton, born in Devonport (England) and they remained partners until the end of his life. |
Returning to England in 1941, Pirenne worked in academic positions in [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]], [[London University (UK Parliament constituency)|London]], and [[University of Aberdeen|Aberdeen]] and published ''The diffraction of X-rays and electrons by free molecules''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pirenne |first=Maurice Henri Léonard |title=The diffraction of X-rays and electrons by free molecules |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1946 |series=Cambridge series of physical chemistry |location=Cambridge}}</ref> in 1946, before joining the University Laboratory of Physiology at Oxford in 1955. His appointment as a fellow with [[Wolfson College, Oxford|Wolfson College]] recognised his teaching methods, remembered for their hands-on demonstrations and pragmatic approach, based on his meticulous preparation. He married, on 16 May 1947, Katherine ('Kathy') Alice Mary Clutton, born in Devonport (England) and they remained partners until the end of his life. |
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Revision as of 03:31, 29 August 2023
Maurice Henri Léonard Pirenne (30 May, 1912, Verviers–11 October 1978, Oxford) was a Belgian scientist known for his work in vision physiology
Early life and education
Pirenne was born on 30 May, 1912 in Verviers, Belgium. Pirenne's lifelong interest in drawing and painting, nurtured by his artist father, underscored his fascination with the convergence of visual physiology and artistic expression. After earning his Doctor of Science degree from Liege, he engaged in a year of research in molecular physics under Peter Debye's mentorship. A pivotal phase of his career was his three years spent at Columbia University in New York, where he collaborated with Selig Hecht to explore the biophysics of vision, which significantly influenced his future pursuits.[1]
Visual perception
In 1942, a joint paper authored by Hecht, Shlaer, and Pirenne marked a turning point in the understanding of visual perception near the absolute threshold level by measuring the minimum number of photons the human eye can detect 60% of the time.[2][3][4] This paper highlighted that the perceived variability, previously attributed to biological causes, predominantly stemmed from physical fluctuations in the small quantity of light quanta absorbed by the visual photo-pigment. Pirenne's subsequent research revolved around the visual threshold and its correlation with visual acuity. His intricate neurophysiological studies of 'on' and 'off' neuronal units and their interactions found practical application in screening military personnel for night blindness.[5]
England
Returning to England in 1941, Pirenne worked in academic positions in Cambridge, London, and Aberdeen and published The diffraction of X-rays and electrons by free molecules[6] in 1946, before joining the University Laboratory of Physiology at Oxford in 1955. His appointment as a fellow with Wolfson College recognised his teaching methods, remembered for their hands-on demonstrations and pragmatic approach, based on his meticulous preparation. He married, on 16 May 1947, Katherine ('Kathy') Alice Mary Clutton, born in Devonport (England) and they remained partners until the end of his life.
Publications
Pirenne's 1970 work, Optics, Painting and Photography, investigated optical and perspective effects in art and photography, analysed through imagery from a pinhole camera. His final publication in 1975, titled Vision and Art, continued his explorations between visual perception and its artistic interpretation.
Pirenne's 1948 publication, Vision and the Eye,[7] remained an authoritative and accessible introduction to the subject. His stature as an international authority in visual physiology was affirmed through recognition such as a Doctor of Science degree from Cambridge in 1972 and his appointment as a Foreign Member of the Royal Belgian Academy of Sciences. He died in Oxford on II October 1978.
References:
- ^ Marriott, F. H. C. (15 February 1979). "M.H.L. Pirenne" (PDF). Nature. 277: 585 – via Macmillan Journals Ltd.
- ^ Levine, Michael (2000). Fundamentals of Sensation and Perception (3rd ed.). London: Oxford University Press.
- ^ Cornsweet, Tom (1970). "Chapters 2 and 4". Visual Perception. Harcourt Publishing.
- ^ Hecht, Selig; Shlaer, Simon; Pirenne, Maurice Henri (1942-07-20). "Energy, Quanta, and Vision". Journal of General Physiology. 25 (6): 819–840. doi:10.1085/jgp.25.6.819. PMC 2142545. PMID 19873316.
- ^ Duchesne, Jules (1979). "Éloge de Maurice, Henri, Léonard PIRENNE (30 mai 1912 -11 octobre 1978)". Bulletins de l'Académie Royale de Belgique. 65: 570–573 – via Persée.
- ^ Pirenne, Maurice Henri Léonard (1946). The diffraction of X-rays and electrons by free molecules. Cambridge series of physical chemistry. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- ^ "Pirenne, Maurice re: Vision and the Eye | HOLLIS for". hollisarchives.lib.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
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