Who is known as the "Father of Bacteriology"?

The title "Father of Bacteriology" is most commonly attributed to Louis Pasteur. He played a pivotal role in the development of the germ theory of disease and made significant contributions to the field of microbiology. Pasteur's research established that microorganisms were responsible for fermentation and spoilage, which laid the groundwork for understanding infectious diseases and bacteria's role in them.

While Anton van Leeuwenhoek was the first to observe and describe microorganisms using a microscope he developed, it is Pasteur’s extensive research and discoveries in bacteriology, including his work on rabies vaccine and pasteurization, that truly earned him this recognition.

Robert Koch also made foundational contributions with his postulates that established a methodology for linking specific pathogens to specific diseases, while Joseph Lister is celebrated for his advances in antiseptic surgical techniques, promoting cleanliness in medical environments. Thus, although Anton van Leeuwenhoek was instrumental in microbiological observations, it is Louis Pasteur who is rightfully known as the "Father of Bacteriology."