# Alexis Carrel

_French surgeon and biologist_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/alexis-carrel
Last updated: 2026-10-07

> Alexis Carrel was a French surgeon and biologist who spent most of his scientific career in the United States. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1912 for pioneering vascular suturing techniques. He invented the first perfusion pump with Charles Lindbergh opening the way to organ transplantation. In later time however, it was acknowledged that Carrel and Lindbergh's version of the perfusion pump, which initially had media prominence, was impractical and difficult to use, and would lose influence by the 1940s. Carrel was also a pioneer in tissue culture, transplantology and thoracic surgery. He is known for his leading role in implementing eugenic policies in Vichy France.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 28 June 1873 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185777#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185777#P19))
- **Died:** 5 November 1944 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185777#P570))
- **Place of death:** Paris ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185777#P20))
- **Citizenship:** France ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185777#P27))
- **Occupation:** surgeon; physiologist; sociologist; biologist ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185777#P106))
- **Political party:** French Popular Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185777#P102))
- **Education:** University of Lyon; Saint-Marc Lycée ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185777#P69))
- **Spouse:** Anne Gourlez de La Motte ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185777#P26))
- **Positions held:** regent (1941–1944) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185777#P39))
- **Awards:** Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine; Officer of the Legion of Honour; Commander of the Order of Leopold; Bordin Prize; Knight of the Legion of Honour; Commander of the Legion of Honour ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185777#P166))

## Questions

**When was Alexis Carrel born?**  
Alexis Carrel was born on 28 June 1873 in Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon.

**What positions has Alexis Carrel held?**  
Positions held by Alexis Carrel include: regent (1941–1944).

**Where did Alexis Carrel study?**  
Alexis Carrel was educated at University of Lyon, Saint-Marc Lycée.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Alexis Carrel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexis_Carrel) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q185777](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185777) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Alexis Carrel 02.jpg by Unknown author Unknown author (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alexis_Carrel_02.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Alexis Carrel, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Alexis Carrel 02.jpg — Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Alexis Carrel". DigiNepal. Last updated 7 October 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/alexis-carrel. Retrieved 6 November 2026.