Edward Jenner, known as 'the father of immunology', created the smallpox vaccine in 1798. His work saved countless lives during a time when smallpox was a major threat to global population. Jenner's contributions to medicine and science have been widely recognized, and he was honored as one of the 100 Greatest Britons by the BBC in 2002.
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu brought the practice of smallpox inoculation to Europe after observing it in Turkey. She had her two daughters inoculated against smallpox.
Jenner's nephew was born on June 30, 1737, and assisted in the study of bird behavior, particularly focusing on the relationship between cuckoos and other bird species.
Edward Jenner, the British physician known as the Father of Vaccination, was born on May 17, 1749.
In 1770, Edward Jenner moved to St. George's Hospital in London to complete his medical training under the mentorship of the renowned surgeon and experimentalist John Hunter. Hunter acknowledged Jenner's skills in dissection, investigation, and knowledge of plant and animal anatomy.
In 1772, at the age of 23, Edward Jenner returned to Berkeley and established himself as the local practitioner and surgeon. He later expanded his medical practices to London and Cheltenham, but Berkeley remained his primary residence.
Benjamin Jesty tested the hypothesis that infection with cowpox, a virus that can spread from cows to humans, could protect individuals from smallpox.
In March 1788, Edward Jenner married Catherine Kingscote, who later died from tuberculosis. Their marriage possibly influenced Jenner's personal and professional life, including his experimentation with balloons.
In 1792, after twenty years of general practice and surgery, Edward Jenner obtained the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the University of St Andrews. This academic achievement further solidified his credentials as a respected medical professional.
On May 14, 1796, Edward Jenner successfully inoculated eight-year-old James Phipps with cowpox matter, leading to the discovery that cowpox could protect against smallpox.
On 1st July 1796, Edward Jenner variolated James Phipps to test if the cowpox immunity would protect him from smallpox. The successful outcome of this test confirmed Jenner's groundbreaking discovery in the field of vaccination.
By September 17, 1798, word of Edward Jenner's successful smallpox vaccination had spread, highlighting the significance of his groundbreaking work.
In 1799, Edward Jenner published the results of further experiments that confirmed his theory that cowpox could protect against smallpox. These findings supported his initial research on the subject.
French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and American President Thomas Jefferson acknowledge and endorse Dr. Edward Jenner's work on the smallpox vaccine.
In 1801, Edward Jenner published his treatise 'On the Origin of the Vaccine Inoculation,' where he detailed his findings on smallpox vaccination. He expressed optimism about the potential eradication of smallpox through vaccination.
On December 30, 1802, Edward Jenner became a master mason in the Lodge of Faith and Friendship #449. This affiliation with the Freemasons reflected his involvement in fraternal organizations outside of the medical field.
By 1803, Edward Jenner's findings on the smallpox vaccine were translated into French and Spanish. The King of Spain initiated a vaccination campaign in the Americas and the Far East based on Jenner's work.
In 1804, Napoleon minted a special medal in honor of Edward Jenner for his contribution to the technique of vaccination. This recognition highlighted Jenner's significant impact on the field of medicine.
In 1807, Edward Jenner received a further £20,000 from the British Government for his contributions to the field of smallpox vaccination. This additional award was a testament to his dedication and impact on public health.
In 1808, with government support, the National Vaccine Establishment was established to further vaccination efforts. However, Jenner resigned from his directorship due to disagreements with the appointed officials.
In 1811, Edward Jenner observed a significant number of smallpox cases after vaccination in London. He found that the severity of the illness was reduced in cases where individuals had been previously vaccinated.
In 1821, Edward Jenner was appointed as the physician to King George IV. This recognition of his medical expertise further solidified his reputation in the field of medicine.
On January 26, 1823, Edward Jenner passed away, leaving behind a legacy as the pioneer of vaccination and smallpox prevention.
The British government banned the use of smallpox variolation and offered free cowpox vaccination to the public, following the success and acceptance of Edward Jenner's smallpox vaccination method.
A statue of Jenner was erected at the Tokyo National Museum in 1896 to commemorate the centenary of Jenner's discovery of vaccination.
Jenner's name is featured on the Frieze of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Twenty-three names of public health and tropical medicine pioneers were chosen to feature on the Keppel Street building when it was constructed in 1926.
Built around 1970, The Jenner Health Centre was established at 201 Stanstead Road, Forest Hill, London, SE23 1HU.
The 33rd World Health Assembly declared the world free of smallpox, fulfilling Jenner's hope of vaccination annihilation. Smallpox eradication is widely regarded as a major milestone in global public health.
In 2002, Edward Jenner was named one of the 100 Greatest Britons by the BBC. This recognition highlighted his significant contribution to the field of immunology and medicine.