Louis Pasteur

A carte-de-visite-size albumen print portrait of Louis Pasteur (1822-1895), French chemist and microbiologist.

Pasteur discovered that fermentation was caused by microorganisms. He also developed a vaccine for rabies, which led to the foundation of the Pasteur Institute in Paris in 1888. He served the French silk industry by identifying two microbial diseases that were decimating the silkworms and discovered the pathogens responsible for anthrax and chicken cholera, developing vaccines for these diseases. He also inspired his pupil Lister’s work in the field of antiseptic surgery.

Pasteurization, the heating of foodstuffs to destroy harmful bacteria, is based on his discoveries.

Photographed by Alphonse Liébert of Paris.