Edward Jenner

Pioneered the world's first vaccine and laid foundation for immunology

Often called the 'father of immunology', Edward Jenner (1749-1823) revolutionized medicine through his discovery of the smallpox vaccine. His work saved countless lives and established the principle of vaccination.

In 1796, Jenner conducted his famous experiment: he inoculated 8-year-old James Phipps with cowpox matter from a milkmaid's lesion, then later exposed him to smallpox. The boy showed immunity, proving Jenner's hypothesis that cowpox infection provided protection against deadly smallpox.

This breakthrough led to:

• Global eradication of smallpox by 1980 (WHO)
• Development of modern vaccinology
• New public health strategies

Despite facing skepticism, Jenner distributed vaccine material freely and documented his findings in An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae (1798). His legacy continues through ongoing COVID-19 vaccination efforts.