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Louis Pasteur
1822–1895 · Chemist and microbiologist
A French chemist whose research on microorganisms, fermentation, pasteurisation and vaccines helped transform microbiology, medicine and public health.
“Chance favors the prepared mind.”
Why is this scientist famous?
Helping establish germ theory, developing pasteurisation and leading pioneering work on vaccines against anthrax and rabies.
Pasteur demonstrated that microorganisms are responsible for processes such as fermentation and food spoilage and helped establish the germ theory of disease. He developed a scientific process for preserving wine by controlled heating, later known as pasteurisation, and led research teams that developed important vaccines against diseases including anthrax and rabies.
Louis's story
Early Life
Born in Dole in eastern France, the son of a tanner, Pasteur was an average student but a gifted painter in his youth, producing portraits of his family and neighbours. He studied chemistry at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, where he earned a doctorate in 1847. His first major scientific contribution came not in biology but in chemistry: he distinguished between two types of tartaric acid crystals that were mirror images of each other, founding the field of molecular chirality — the idea that molecules can be left-handed or right-handed.
Spontaneous Generation
Using swan-necked flask experiments, Pasteur showed that sterilised broth could remain free of microbial growth when airborne particles were prevented from reaching it. His experiments provided powerful evidence against spontaneous generation and supported the idea that microorganisms come from existing microorganisms.
Pasteurisation
Pasteur studied spoilage in wine and showed that unwanted microorganisms were responsible. In 1865 he patented a method of heating wine to a controlled temperature to reduce these organisms without seriously damaging the product. The method became known as pasteurisation and was later adapted to beer, milk and other foods and drinks.
Vaccines
Pasteur's laboratory investigated ways of producing immunity using weakened or otherwise treated infectious material. His collaborators, including Charles Chamberland and Émile Roux, played important roles in this work. In 1881 Pasteur's team publicly demonstrated protection against anthrax at Pouilly-le-Fort using a vaccine prepared by Chamberland. In 1885, after extensive work on rabies, nine-year-old Joseph Meister was brought to Pasteur after being bitten by a rabid dog. Because Pasteur was not a physician, Dr Jacques-Joseph Grancher administered the injections. Meister did not develop rabies, and the successful treatment brought international attention to Pasteur's work.
The Institut Pasteur
Following the success of the rabies treatment, an international fundraising campaign led to the creation of the Institut Pasteur, which opened in Paris in 1888 as a centre for rabies treatment, research and teaching. The institute continues to be a world-leading centre for infectious disease research and has produced ten Nobel laureates. Pasteur suffered a brain haemorrhage in 1868 that left his left side partly paralysed, but he continued working for another 27 years.
Legacy
Pasteur's work helped establish microbiology as an experimental science and strongly influenced medicine, surgery and public health. Joseph Lister drew on germ theory in developing antiseptic surgery, while the Institut Pasteur continued research into infectious disease after Pasteur's death. Pasteur died in 1895 and received a national funeral; his remains were later placed in a crypt at the Institut Pasteur.
What did they discover?
Germ Theory of Disease
Demonstrated that microorganisms cause fermentation and spoilage and produced influential evidence connecting specific microbes with disease, helping establish germ theory and modern microbiology.
Pasteurisation
Developed the process of heating food and drink to a specific temperature to kill harmful microorganisms without altering taste or quality — now used worldwide for milk, wine, beer, and more.
Rabies Vaccine
Led the research programme that developed an effective rabies treatment. In 1885 Joseph Meister received the treatment under the medical supervision of Dr Jacques-Joseph Grancher and did not develop rabies.
Anthrax Vaccine
In 1881 Pasteur's team publicly demonstrated an anthrax vaccine at Pouilly-le-Fort; collaborator Charles Chamberland played a major role in preparing the vaccine.
Amazing facts
He began his career as a chemist, not a biologist, and only turned to microbiology in his 30s.
His swan-necked flask experiments provided powerful evidence against spontaneous generation and became some of the most famous experiments in biology.
Pasteur was not a medical doctor, so physician Jacques-Joseph Grancher administered the rabies treatment to Joseph Meister in 1885.
The Institut Pasteur in Paris has produced ten Nobel laureates since its founding.
He suffered a brain haemorrhage in 1868 that left his left side partly paralysed — but he continued working for another 27 years.
The success of the rabies treatment inspired international donations that helped create the Institut Pasteur.
His public anthrax test at Pouilly-le-Fort was attended by scientists, journalists, and hundreds of farmers.
Joseph Meister later worked at the Institut Pasteur, the institution created after the success of Pasteur's rabies research.
His discovery that crystals can be left- or right-handed founded the field of stereochemistry.
He once said that fortune favours the prepared mind — and his own career proved it.
Timeline
Born in Dole, France
Earned a doctorate in chemistry from the École Normale Supérieure
Discovered molecular chirality — that crystals can be left- or right-handed
Discovered that fermentation is caused by living microorganisms
Published influential swan-necked flask experiments providing strong evidence against spontaneous generation
Developed experiments that led to pasteurisation; patented his wine-preservation process in 1865
Suffered a brain haemorrhage that left his left side partly paralysed
Pasteur's team publicly demonstrated an anthrax vaccine at Pouilly-le-Fort
Joseph Meister received Pasteur's rabies treatment under medical supervision and survived
An international public fundraising appeal began for the future Institut Pasteur; its formal charitable status followed in 1887
Institut Pasteur opened in Paris as a centre for treatment, research and teaching
Died near Paris and received a state funeral at Notre-Dame
Awards & honours
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