The Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Order of Academic Palms) is an order of knighthood of France for academics and cultural and educational figures. The early Palmes académiques was instituted on 17 March 1808 and was only awarded to teachers or professors. In 1850 the decoration was divided into two known classes:
Officier de l'Instruction Publique (Golden Palms)
Officier d'Académie (Silver Palms)
Since 1955 the Ordre des palmes académiques has comprised three grades:
Commandeur (Commander) — medallion worn on necklet
Officier (Officer) — medallion worn on ribbon with rosette on left breast
Chevalier (Knight) – medallion worn on ribbon on left breast
In 1866, the scope of the award was widened to include major contributions to French national education and culture made by anyone, including foreigners. It was also made available to any French expatriates making major contributions to the expansion of French culture throughout the world.
The following is an incomplete list of foreign recipients of the Ordre, with sources of information as indicated:
Chevalier
Aram Barlezizyan (2006), Armenian academic specialising in the French Language.
Chevalier
Edward Duyker (2000), Australian historian of French voyages to the Indian Ocean and Pacific in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
Jane Zemiro (2000), Australian academic and author.
Officier
Gunnar Riebs (2017) Novelist
Chevalier
Marc Cools (2014) Criminologist and Professor at Ghent University.
Officier
Vladimir Perlin (2003) - cellist, professor
Chevalier
Galina Toumilovitch Charco (2004), formerly dean of Languages at European Humanities University, Minsk
Chevalier
João Cruz Costa, Brazilian philosopher who taught in France after temporarily fleeing the military dictatorship in Brazil.
Marilena Chauí (1992), Brazilian philosopher, professor at Universidade de São Paulo.
Heloísa da Campos Borges (1998), writer and professor of French literature at Universidade de Goiás.
Hernan Chaimovich (2011), biochemist and professor at Universidade de São Paulo who helped to strengthen cientific relations between France and Brazil.
Rubens Sampaio (2013), doctor and professor at Pontificía Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro who extensively cooperated with research groups in France.
Chevalier
Roseann Runte (1985), vice-chancellor and president of Carleton University
Charles Gonthier (1988), Puisne judge of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Dyane Adam (1998), Canadian Govt Official Languages Commissioner responsible for promoting bilingualism.
A.J.B. Johnston (2008), historian
Edward Langille (2004), professor of Modern Languages at St. Francis Xavier University.
Kenneth Meadwell (2013), professor of French Studies, University of Winnipeg
Chevalier
Arturo Agüero Chaves (1963), philologist.
Commandeur
Guido Nonveiller (1989), entomologist and professor of the University of Belgrade.
Commandeur
Hussein Sobhy (1977), Mayor of Alexandria (1952-1966) and founder of the Biennale of Alexandria in 1954.
Chevalier Saihou Bah (2002) Principal French teacher (Alliance Francaise) and Promoter of French culture Commandeur Sedat Jobe (....) Former Minister, Former UN officer, Lecturer at Dakar University (UCAD)
Chevalier
Iring Fetscher (1993), academic, political scientist and professor of the Goethe University Frankfurt.
Chevalier
Dionysis Simopoulos (2006), director of Evgenidio Foundation Planetarium.
Chevalier
Y.K. Sohoni (1911–2003; appointed 14 February 1975), professor at Poona University and CIEFL, Hyderabad; founder, Indian Association for French Teachers (1953).
Chinmoy Guha (2010), Bengali intellectual, author, translator and professor of Calcutta University.
Dr. Sukumari Polavaram (2015), currently teaches World Literature in the Department of Humanities & Social Sciences at IIT-Madras.
Basabi Pal (2016), Associate Professor of French in West Bengal Education Service at Chandernagore College (Formerly College Dupleix), West Bengal.
Sampat Kumar Tandon, Geologist, former Pro-vice chancellor of Delhi University, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar laureate
Officier
Kalya Jagannath Rao, physical chemist, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar laureate
Commandeur
Ali-Akbar Siassi, Iranian intellectual, [psychology|psychologist]] and politician during the 1930s and 1960s, government minister and Chancellor of Tehran University.
Chevalier
Ahmad Kamyabi Mask, professor of Fine Arts in the University of Tehran during the 1980s and 1990s, writer, translator, publisher and scholar of French avant-garde theatre, influential in the study of Eugène Ionesco and Samuel Beckett.
Javad Tabatabai, thinker and historian of Iranian modernity.
Ireland
Officier
Henri O'Kelly, organist, choir director, music teacher
Chevalier
Tony Lewis (2017), professor of Energy Engineering in University College Cork, for his contributions to marine renewable energy
Commandeur
Itamar Rabinovich, president of Tel Aviv University
Officier
Menachem Banitt, Tel Aviv University
Yirmiyahu Yovel, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, founder of International Spinoza Institute
Officier
Jacqueline Oble
Chevalier
Dorothy Wanja Nyingi, Head of Ichthyology, National Museums of Kenya
Raymonde Abou, Director (1965–1999), Collège Louise Wegmann.
Tiba Geha-Villard (2008), Director (2000–present), Collège Louise Wegmann.
Efraín Huerta (1945), Mexican poet.
Commandeur
Albert II of Monaco (2009).
Chevalier
Fatima Charki (1997), Moroccan academic specialising in the Arabic Language.
Buddy Wentworth, politician, for his contributions to the Namibian independence struggle.
Netherlands
Officier
Dolf Unger (1933), Rotterdam art dealer.
Chevalier: Wim Meulen(1938)Eindhoven,professeur de français
New Zealand
Commandeur
Alec Goldsmith (2002), Polish-born RAF pilot and French language teacher who settled in New Zealand in 1961, for 22 years of organising exchanges with New Caledonian students.
Ian Scott Laurie (1983), New Zealand-born professor of French at Flinders University and president of South Australian Alliances Francaises (appointed Officier in 1972).
Keith Val Sinclair, New Zealand-born academic and professor of French at the James Cook University, North Queensland.
Officier since 1955 and Officier de l'Instruction Publique (Golden Palms) prior to 1955
Walter Lawry Buller KCMG (1887), New Zealand politician, naturalist and ornithologist who was New Zealand Commissioner at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition in 1886.
Percival Clay Neill, vice-consul for France 1878 to 1921.
Frank Wild Reed (1934), translator, literary critic, biographer and devotee of Dumas; reaffirmed after appointment as Officier in 1927.
William Marshall MacDonald (1947), president of the Wellington French Club (later Alliances Francaises).
John Dunmore (1986), New Zealand academic, author on French history in the Pacific and long-time president of the New Zealand Federation des Alliances Francaises.
Elizabeth Goulding (1991), New Zealand academic for her services to French language and culture
Glynnis Cropp (2011), New Zealand academic, committee member of the Federation of the Alliances Francaises in New Zealand since 1981. Appointed Chevalier in 1991.
Chevalier since 1955 and Officier d'Académie (Silver Palms) before 1955
Walter Kennaway CMG (1889), New Zealand politician, secretary to New Zealand High Commissioner London and representative at the 1889 Paris World fair and exhibition.
Edward Robert Tregear (1896), New Zealand academic and politician, co-founder of the Polynesian Society.
Edwin John Boyd-Wilson (1924), New Zealand academic and professor of Modern Languages at Victoria University, Wellington.
James McRoberts Geddis (1926), author, journalist and editor of New Zealand Free Lance.
M. M. Ifwersen (1934), president of the Mercantile Auxiliary Club and host of French warship visits to Auckland.
Frederick Fisher Miles (1930s), New Zealand academic, professor of mathematics at Victoria University, Wellington, and president of the Cercle Française 1929–35.
Allwyn Charles Keys, professor emeritus of French and Romance Philology at Auckland University and president of the Auckland French Club from 1943 to 1968.
Lloyd Ernest Upton (1977).
Mervyn Fairgray (1979), deputy principal Auckland Grammar School.
Frances Huntington (1979).
Jim Hollyman (1980), New Zealand academic at Auckland University for "services to French language and culture".
Fred Woodward Marshall (1980), New Zealand academic at Waikato University for "services to French language and culture".
Peter John Norrish (1980), New Zealand academic for "services to French language and culture".
David Bancroft (1981), New Zealand academic at Canterbury University for "services to French language and culture".
Raymond Gladstone Stone (1981), New Zealand academic for "services to French language and culture".
Richard Goldsmith (1982).
Cyril Peacock (1982).
Graham Halligan (1984), New Zealand academic for "services to French language and culture".
Ashley Day (1989), founded New Zealand National Association of French Teachers in 1986 and represented New Zealand at the World Congress of French Teachers in 1987.
Jacqueline Ferry (1990), senior lecturer in the French Department of the School of European Languages and Literature at Victoria University of Wellington.
Peter Morrow (1990).
Peter Low (1990), New Zealand academic at Canterbury University for "services to French language and culture".
Maurice Andre (1991).
Tony Angelo (2003), Victoria University Law School professor with a long involvement at the Université de la Polynésie française (UPF).
Barbara Dineen (2005), teacher at Columba College, Dunedin for "services to French language and culture" over a long period of time.
Denis Fouhy (2005), Rotorua French teacher and organiser of exchanges with the College Jean Marrotti in Nouméa, New Caledonia.
Jean Anderson (2006), chair of the French Department at Victoria University of Wellington.
Marie Brown (2006), teacher of French and French literature from 1977 and especially president of the Alliances Francaises of Wellington from 2002 to 2004.
Brian McKay (2006), former head of the University of Auckland's French department and current vice-president of the Alliance Française d'Auckland.
Rosemary Arnoux (2007), Auckland University senior lecturer European Languages and Literature.
Peter Tremewan (2007), New Zealand academic at Canterbury University for "services to French language and culture".
Danielle Fillion (2010), president of the Waiheke French Club, in recognition of her efforts in promoting French culture.
Stephanie Barnett (2010), a highly valued member of the community of French language teachers in New Zealand since 1981.
Commandeur
Mariama Hima, Nigerien ambassador in France in 1996–2003.
Officier
Asbjørn Aarnes (1984), Norwegian literary historian, professor at the University of Oslo.
Valborg Aschehoug, Norwegian chemical engineer, bacteriologist at Hermetikkfabrikkens laboratorium in Stavanger.
Chevalier
Elísio Brandão (2000), economist at the University of Porto and Porto Business School; Rossas-born politician, now president of the Municipal Assembly of Arouca.
Sotero Laurel (1986), Filipino politician and educator who served as a senator from 1986 until 1992.
Chevalier
Lyudmila Ulitskaya (2003), critically acclaimed modern Russian novelist and short-story writer.
Officier
Shubina Elena (2016), professor, doctor of chemical sciences, head of the Laboratory of Metal Hydrides, INEOS RAS.
Hatoon al-Fassi (2008), women's rights activist and assistant professor of Women's History at King Saud University.
Avrelija Cencič (2008), professor of the University of Ljubljana, researcher, manager and educator in health and life sciences.
Officier d'Académie
Svante Forsberg (1911), Ciseleur d’art Fontenay-aux-Roses
Officier
Per Magnus Johansson (2006), psychoanalyst, psychotherapist and historian of ideas; associate professor of the University of Gothenburg
Chevalier
Christophe Premat (2014), Swedish resident and French deputy for Northern Europe
Officier
Sospeter Muhongo, MP and geologist.
Thailand
Chevalier
Somboon Pichayapaiboon (1979), Science Educator and Chemistry Professor, Ministry of Education. A founder of Technical Chemistry program for Vocational Education of Thailand.
Commandeur
Paul Ahyi (1985), Togolese artist, sculptor, architect, painter, interior designer and author.
Commandeur
Cahit Arf (1994), Turkish mathematician.
Tahsin Yücel (1997), Turkish translator, novelist, scholar
Chevalier
Fatih Birol (2006), chief economist and director of Global Energy Economics at the International Energy Agency.
Misel Tagan (2015), French teacher.
Commandeur
Alan Raitt (1995), Professor of French Literature at the University of Oxford and Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford
Richard Cooper (2012), professor of French and fellow of Brasenose College, Oxford.
Helena, Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws (2006), barrister, broadcaster and parliamentarian.
Richard J. Parish, (2012), professor of French and fellow of St Catherine's College Oxford.
Christina Howells, (2015), professor of French and fellow of Wadham College, Oxford.
Officier
Michael Crawford (2001), British ancient historian and numismatist.
Norman Hartnell (1939), British fashion designer, dressmaker to HM The Queen and HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
John Loughlin (2010), British academic and educator, a specialist in European territorial politics at Cambridge.
Basil Markesinis (1992), Anglo-Greek professor of European Law and director of the Institute of European and Comparative Law.
Roger Pearson (2005), professor of French and fellow of The Queen's College, Oxford.
Philip Thody (1982), Professor of French at the University of Leeds.
Chevalier
Donald Adamson (1986), author, historian, biographer (of Pascal) and visiting fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge.
Celia Britton (2003), British scholar of French Caribbean literature and thought
Herrick Chapman (2006), British historian.
Robert Fox (1988), British historian.
Rosalyn Higgins (1988), professor of International Law and president of the International Court of Justice.
Gregory B. Lee (2010), British academic, author, broadcaster and professor of Chinese and Transcultural Studies at the University of Lyon (Jean Moulin)
John McManners (1991), Anglican clergyman and religious historian specialising in the history of the Church and other aspects of religious life in 18th-century France.
Brian Stobie (2012), international officer, Durham County Council
Julian Swann, professor of the University of London and expert on early modern France
Steve Wharton, University of Bath academic, social and cultural historian
Commandeur
Thomas E. Lovejoy, conservationist, ecologist, University Professor at George Mason University
Philip Werner Amram, lawyer and legal scholar, president of La Fondation de l'Ecole Francaise Internationale and legal adviser to the French Embassy.
Harlan Lane, distinguished university professor of psychology at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.
Richard Morimoto, Bill and Gayle Cook professor of biology at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois
Officier
Arnold Davidson, professor of philosophy at the University of Chicago.
Jerry Hirsch (1994), professor of psychology and animal biology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Norris J. Lacy, American scholar focusing on French medieval literature
Pirie MacDonald, American portrait photographer, New York City civic leader, and peace advocate.
Jeffrey Mehlman (1994), professor of French Literature at Boston University.
Thaddeus Weclew,* one of the creators of the Academy of General Dentistry.
Dr. Jacquelyne Hoy (2010) Founder of Lycee Franco-Americain International School and International School of Broward
Chevalier
Guy Bennett (2005), American academic specialising in French literature.
Lee Bradley, (1996), emeritus assistant professor (French) at Valdosta State University (1967–1998, 2000–2012), Valdosta, GA; executive director of the Southern Conference on Language Teaching (1988–1999).
Olga Duhl (2015) Oliver Edwin Williams Professor of Languages, founder and Co-Chair of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Early-Modern Studies Program at Lafayette College, United States. An associate member of the Research Center, Textes et Cultures, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, she is on the Editorial Board of the scholarly journal, Le Moyen français as its US correspondent, a Vice-President of the International Association for Middle French Studies, and a reviewer for Renaissance and Reformation/Renaissance et Réforme, and Literature and Theology.
Richard Guidry (1995), Cajun cultural activist and educator who worked to save the French language in Louisiana.
James F. Jones, preceptor in the Department of French and Romance Philology at Columbia University, and chair of the Department of Foreign Languages at Woodward Academy in Atlanta.
Henry Koffler (1977), President Emeritus at University of Arizona.
Francis L. Lawrence (1937–2013), classical drama and baroque poetry scholar, president of Rutgers University (1990–2002)
John A. Lynn, American military historian and lecturer at Northwestern University.
Joseph S. Nye, Jr., American political scientist and former dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Dr. Paul D. Onffroy (1967), Professor of Foreign Languages at Chico State College, Lieutenant Colonel US Army and Program Director USIS in Marrakech, Morocco.
Joëlle Rollo-Koster, Professor of History at the University of Rhode Island
Richard Shusterman, American pragmatist philosopher, and professor of Philosophy at Florida Atlantic University.
Alice Strange (2009), Professor of French at Southeast Missouri State University.
Dr. Joseph L. Tomchak (1988)
Shimon Waronker (2009), headmaster of The New American Academy, PS 770, an innovative new public school in Brooklyn, New York.
Randall E. Westgren, Professor of Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship at the University of Illinois. 2007.
Dr. Elizabeth W. Poe, 2016, Professor of French Medieval Literature at Tulane University, New Orleans, LA.
Chevalier
Hoàng Xuân Sính, mathematician, founder of Thang Long University.
