The intelligence of one is a gift for all. Such is the case of Jérôme Lejeune, an extraordinary man who put his brilliance at the service of children with Down syndrome.

A pioneer of modern genetics, Dr. Lejeune discovered the chromosomal defect that causes Down’s. International acclaim followed, but more important to this doctor—dazzled by the beauty of every human life—was improving the care of his patients with this abnormality. As a man of both science and conscience, he advocated for their dignity, and he suffered attacks on his reputation as a result.

To write this definitive biography, Aude Dugast spent eleven years consulting thousands of archives. She met at length with Lejeune’s wife and relatives, families of his patients, and his French and foreign collaborators. She invites us to discover the true and untold portrait of Jérôme Lejeune—brilliant scientist close to the great figures of this world, devoted husband and father, and ardent defender of the little ones.

"Aude Dugast captures the spirit of Jérôme Lejeune, whose life embraced the paradoxes of the saints. He was a man of the world within a man of faith—an example of the transformative love of Christ radiating from a consummate professional. This highly engaging story is filled with inspiration on how to live and 'stay the course'—a modern Man for All Seasons."
— Robert Spitzer, S.J., President, Magis Center of Reason and Faith; Author, Healing the Culture

"A beautifully written "profile in courage' that captures Lejeune's dedication to science and medicine along with his even greater devotion to his patients—children with Down syndrome. I encourage you to feed your soul by reading this story of a man in whom faith and science kissed."
— Most Rev. Joseph Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City, Kansas

"No better testimony for this work could there be than for Lejeune's widow to say, 'Jérôme is present in this book.'; What better testimony could there be for Lejeune's saintly character than for the author to serve as postulator for his canonization?"
— Donald DeMarco, Author, Heart of Virtue and Architects of the Culture of Death

"Lejeune shows us that one can be both an award-winning scientist and a saint. He shows us that the objectivity of a scientist does not require an indifference to human rights. The world needs this book, because the world needs to know Jérôme Lejeune."
— Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life

"The discoverer of the cause of Down syndrome, Lejeune was a fearless defender of the right to life of all unborn children. A close friend of Saint John Paul II, he was named by the pope as the first president of the Pontifical Academy for Life. This inspiring biography reminds us that love triumphs even amidst great suffering and evil."
— Fr. Gerald E. Murray, Canon Lawyer; Pastor of Holy Family Church, New York, New York

"Dr. Lejeune loved his patients unconditionally and knew what he discovered about them could sadly lead to their in utero extermination. He fought for them at the expense of accolades for himself, and in doing so he changed the world."
— Stacy Trasancos, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Saint Philip Institute