Scientist, Medical Pioneer. He developed a process of preserving food that was called "pasteurization" in his honor. Considered the "Founder of Microbiology" and one of the world's greatest scientists, he made significantly major contributions to the fields of chemistry, medicine and industry. His proof that bacteria spread diseases has saved countless lives, but it was his ability to apply abstract discoveries to the practical world that made his contributions so significant. Born the son of a tanner, in his youth his family moved to Arbois, France, where he received his early education. A slow but careful student who showed some talent in art, he studied chemistry at the Ecole Normale and at the Sorbonne in Paris. In 1849, he became a science professor in Strasbourg, France, where he began his study of the fermentation of wine. His discovery that wine was broken down chemically by microbes led him to develop improvements in brewing and winemaking. He invented the process of heating wine to destroy bacteria that would otherwise turn the wine sour (a process now called pasteurization), which saved the wine industry. Pasteur also used this method to preserve milk, beer, and food, keeping it from becoming spoiled. In the 1860s, a disease called pebrine was killing large numbers of silkworms and threatening to destroy the French silk making industry. Pasteur discovered that microbes were killing the silkworms, and that eliminating the microbes would wipe out the disease. Pasteur also demonstrated that by weakening disease germs in a lab, then injecting the weakened germs into an animal (or person), the animal developed immunity to the disease rather than dying of the disease, a process universally known now as vaccination. Pasteur was also the first scientist to invent a successful treatment for rabies, a nearly always fatal disease at the time. In 1868, a brain stroke partially paralyzed Pasteur and nearly killed him. Despite poor health, he continued his work for another 27 years. In 1888, for his significant contributions to mankind, the Pasteur Institute, a world renowned center for the study, prevention and treatment of disease, was founded in Paris in his name. Louis Pasteur is interred in a tomb inside the building.

Scientist, Medical Pioneer. He developed a process of preserving food that was called "pasteurization" in his honor. Considered the "Founder of Microbiology" and one of the world's greatest scientists, he made significantly major contributions to the fields of chemistry, medicine and industry. His proof that bacteria spread diseases has saved countless lives, but it was his ability to apply abstract discoveries to the practical world that made his contributions so significant. Born the son of a tanner, in his youth his family moved to Arbois, France, where he received his early education. A slow but careful student who showed some talent in art, he studied chemistry at the Ecole Normale and at the Sorbonne in Paris. In 1849, he became a science professor in Strasbourg, France, where he began his study of the fermentation of wine. His discovery that wine was broken down chemically by microbes led him to develop improvements in brewing and winemaking. He invented the process of heating wine to destroy bacteria that would otherwise turn the wine sour (a process now called pasteurization), which saved the wine industry. Pasteur also used this method to preserve milk, beer, and food, keeping it from becoming spoiled. In the 1860s, a disease called pebrine was killing large numbers of silkworms and threatening to destroy the French silk making industry. Pasteur discovered that microbes were killing the silkworms, and that eliminating the microbes would wipe out the disease. Pasteur also demonstrated that by weakening disease germs in a lab, then injecting the weakened germs into an animal (or person), the animal developed immunity to the disease rather than dying of the disease, a process universally known now as vaccination. Pasteur was also the first scientist to invent a successful treatment for rabies, a nearly always fatal disease at the time. In 1868, a brain stroke partially paralyzed Pasteur and nearly killed him. Despite poor health, he continued his work for another 27 years. In 1888, for his significant contributions to mankind, the Pasteur Institute, a world renowned center for the study, prevention and treatment of disease, was founded in Paris in his name. Louis Pasteur is interred in a tomb inside the building.

Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson