ANTHONY VAN LEEUWENHOEK (1632-1723)

Anthony Van Leeuwenhoek was a Dutch scientist and tradesman who did a part time job as a draper and amateur microscopist while investigating the microbial world whit his crude or simple microscopes.

Leeuwenhoek is generally known as “the Father of Microbiology”, and he is also considered to be the first microbiologist since he was the first to observe and describe bacteria with his simple microscope.

Leeuwenhoek was a Dutch draper who made significant development in building one of the first microscope used to visualize the invisible forms of life (microorganisms). He observed ‘Animalcules’ in 1675 in feacal samples, water and from soil samples when he was working with his simple lenses.

The ‘Animalcules’ observed by Leeuwenhoek with his simple microscope or lenses were later discovered to be bacteria and other microorganisms. The study of bacteria practically began with the use of the microscope, and this singular development is credited to Anthony Von Leeuwenhoek.

Leeuwenhoek is considered one of the first scientists to have observed bacteria using the microscope; and this is why he was recognized as the father of microbiology. 

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