Gustave Malécot and the transition from classical to modern population genetics.

The contributions of Gustave Malécot to theoretical population genetics are described, discussed, and put into perspective relative to earlier and later work. In this context, certain aspects of the theory of inbreeding, the correlation between relatives, the evolution of finite panmictic populations, and (in more depth) spatial variation are reviewed. A brief biographical sketch of Malécot is also presented.