Alexander Fleming Autograph

Profession:
(1881-1955) Scottish physician and microbiologist, best known for discovering the world's first broadly effective antibiotic substance, which he named penicillin - he shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945 with Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain.

Year of Birth: 1881

Alexander Fleming was a Scottish physician and microbiologist who is best known for his discovery of penicillin, the world's first antibiotic. He was born on August 6, 1881, in Lochfield, Scotland, to a farming family. Growing up, he showed a curiosity and interest in science, which led him to pursue a career in medicine.

After receiving his medical degree from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London in 1906, Fleming went on to serve as a bacteriologist in the Army Medical Corps during World War I. It was during this time that he made his groundbreaking discovery of penicillin in 1928.

His accidental discovery of the mold Penicillium notatum, which had antibacterial properties, revolutionized the field of medicine and helped save countless lives by treating bacterial infections. Fleming's work on penicillin laid the foundation for the development of other antibiotics, leading to significant advancements in the treatment of infectious diseases.

Throughout his career, Fleming received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to medical science, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945. He passed away on March 11, 1955, at the age of 73, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the field of microbiology and medicine.

Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin continues to have a profound impact on modern medicine, shaping the way we treat bacterial infections and saving countless lives around the world. He is remembered as a pioneer in the field of antibiotics and a true hero of medicine.