Professor Paganel

From Jules Verne’s “In Search of the Castaways.” Professor Jacques Eliacin François Marie Paganel is the absent-minded Secretary of the Geographical Society of Paris, and a Corresponding Member of several other Geographical Societies. An easygoing Frenchman with a great sense of humor, Paganel isn’t bothered by much, which is just as well since his tendency to be inattentive leaves him rather accident-prone. Once, intending to voyage to India he mistakenly boarded a ship bound for Patagonia. Paganel once stayed for 3 days in a Māori village and on an impulse got tattooed from his shoulders down to his feet. A kiwi bird is tattooed on his chest. Now Paganel always wears long-sleeved jackets for fear other Europeans will make fun of him. Paganel’s wit, adventurous spirit and vast knowledge of geography make him an invaluable asset to his expedition team. His enthusiasm, unfettered optimism and childlike exuberance make him well-liked by most everyone who meets him.