ANTHONY VAN LEEUWENHOEK (1632-1723)

by DrChika

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. 

References

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Beck R.W (2000). A chronology of microbiology in historical context. Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.

Brooks G.F., Butel J.S and Morse S.A (2004). Medical Microbiology, 23rd edition. McGraw Hill Publishers. USA. Pp. 248-260.

Chung K.T, Stevens Jr., S.E and Ferris D.H (1995). A chronology of events and pioneers of microbiology. SIM News, 45(1):3–13.

Nester E.W, Anderson D.G, Roberts C.E and Nester M.T (2009). Microbiology: A Human Perspective. Sixth edition. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc, New York, USA.

Salyers A.A and Whitt D.D (2001). Microbiology: diversity, disease, and the environment. Fitzgerald Science Press Inc. Maryland, USA.

Slonczewski J.L, Foster J.W and Gillen K.M (2011). Microbiology: An Evolving Science. Second edition. W.W. Norton and Company, Inc, New York, USA.

Summers W.C (2000). History of microbiology. In Encyclopedia of microbiology, vol. 2, J. Lederberg, editor, 677–97. San Diego: Academic Press.

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