Robert Koch

Biologist

Birthday December 11, 1843

Birth Sign Sagittarius

Birthplace Germany

DEATH DATE May 27, 1910 (66)

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About

Founding father of microbiology who is known for identifying the specific causative agents of tuberculosis, cholera, and anthrax. He received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1905.

Before Fame

He became a medical officer after his time in the Franco-Prussian war.

Trivia

The first steps to curing tuberculosis were taken when he isolated the disease in 1882 and he gave experimental support for the concept of infectious disease, which was not yet a scientifically accepted concept.

Family Life

He married Emmy Adolfine Josephine Fraatz in 1866, and the couple had a daughter two years later.

Associated With

He won the Nobel Prize five decades before James Watson did.