Vesalius
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| Andreas Vesalius | |
 Portrait from the Fabrica
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| Born | December 31, 1514 Brussels, Belgium |
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| Died | October 15, 1564 Zakynthos, Greece |
Andreas Vesalius (Brussels, December 31, 1514 - Zakynthos, October 15, 1564). Vesalius is the Latinized form of Andreas van Wesel. He is sometimes also referred to as Andreas Vesal. He was an anatomist, physician, and is often referred to as the founder of modern human anatomy. He was the author of one of the most influential books on human anatomy, De humani corporis fabrica, (1543), (On the Workings of the Human Body). This work, considering the era, showed fairly accurate drawings of various internal organs and tissues. The illustrations were done by a fellow Belgian, Jan van Calcar, who had studied under none other than Titian himself. It was a large work of about 700 pages and he discusses the skeletal system, muscles, circulatory system, nerves and internal organs. The only really serious error in this work was his postulation of "pores" through which he supposed blood to flow from one side of the heart to the other. (Although pores are found in many vertebrates.)[1]
When still a teenager, his father sent him to the Catholic University of Leuven to study medicine but he found the atmosphere not conducive to furthering his studies in biology. He therefore moved to the University of Paris where he studied anatomy and medicine for three years. After the publication of his book and the subsequent renown that this brought him, as well as his other writings, he was offered a professorship at the University of Padua where his lectures drew hundreds of interested listeners. Here he performed public dissections of cadavers (in the winter months when decay of corpses was slower).[1]
Vesalius did not hesitate to point out errors in the work of his forerunners Aristotle and Galen and this angered many thinkers of the time who denounced his ideas. Some even accused him of being "degenerate", possessed by demons, and a grave robber. These accusations unfortunately ended Vesalius' research career and it wasn't until about one hundred years later that others began to disagree with Galen.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Vesalius, by Alison Kassab
[edit] External links
- Page through a virtual copy of Vesalius's De Humanis Corporis Fabrica
- Vesalius College in Brussels
- Anatomia 1522-1867: Anatomical Plates from the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Vesalius, Andreas |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Early anatomist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 31, 1514 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Brussels, Belgium |
| DATE OF DEATH | October 15, 1564 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Zakynthos, Greece |
