Contents
Louis Pasteur
Explaining microbial fermentation, developing pasteurisation and advancing vaccination.
Pasteurisation · Anthrax vaccination
- Born
- 27 December 1822
- Birthplace
- Dole, France
- Died
- 28 September 1895
More people
Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur was a French chemist whose experiments helped establish microbiology. His work connected practical problems in food and farming with the study of microscopic organisms and disease.
Early life
Arbois childhood
Grew up in the Jura region as the son of a tanner and showed an early talent for drawing.
Scientific education
Studied at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, completing his doctorate in 1847.
Career
- 1840s–1850s
Chemistry research
Investigated molecular asymmetry and held university posts in Strasbourg and Lille.
- 1850s–1860s
Fermentation experiments
Demonstrated the role of living microorganisms in fermentation.
- 1860s–1870s
Agricultural problems
Studied wine spoilage and silkworm diseases.
- 1880s
Vaccines and institute
Developed vaccine research with colleagues before the Institut Pasteur opened in 1888.
Contributions
Pasteurisation
Controlled heating reduced the organisms responsible for spoilage.
Anthrax vaccination
His team demonstrated vaccination against anthrax in livestock.
Rabies treatment
A child exposed to rabies received a course developed by his laboratory.
Beyond the lab
Family collaboration
His wife Marie Pasteur supported his scientific work and managed aspects of their household and correspondence.
Portrait drawing
His youthful pastel portraits survive alongside his scientific papers.
Sources & photo credit
Biography ↗Life and work ↗Photo: Paul Nadar. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
