Jean Poirier (4 June 1921 - 2 July 2009) was a French researcher, ethnologist, sociologist, and lawyer. He was a Doctor of Letters and Doctor of Law, member of the Society of Oceanists within the Musée de l'Homme, member of the Academy of Overseas Sciences, Director of the Department of Human Sciences of the University of Madagascar from 1961 to 1969 and professor at the Faculty of Letters of Nice from 1969 to his death.