Portrait of the chercheur, or the remediations of a myth of science in the twentieth century

Among the myths of science, that of the great scientist occupies a central place. This contribution examines the construction by Jean Perrin of a new archetype in the twentieth century. The chercheur merged the persona of the savant with that of the public intellectual. To this end, modern media were mobilized, in particular a new kind of exhibition embodied by the Palais de la découverte set up for the 1937 Paris exhibition, and cinema. Thus, a particular vision of the scientist, of science and their place in society was promoted in the public sphere of 1930s France.