Welsh scientist awarded légion d’honneur for Covid work
A British scientist has been made an officer of the légion d’honneur in France after leading a top research institute through the coronavirus pandemic.
Sir Stewart Cole, 68, who became interested in microbiology when he was struck down by paratyphoid as a teenager, was given the award for his groundbreaking work as the first non-French director-general of the prestigious Pasteur Institute in Paris.
Since the légion d’honneur was created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, several dozen Britons have been honoured, including Sir Elton John and Graham Greene. However, few have been elevated from chevalier de la légion d’honneur (knight of the legion of honour) to officier (officer).
Those few have included Sir Paul McCartney and the eighth Duke of Wellington, the 20th-century British army brigadier
