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Joseph Lister
Joseph Lister English surgeon Joseph Lister, undated photograph.

Joseph Lister

British surgeon and medical scientist
Also known as: Joseph Lister, Baron Lister of Lyme Regis, Sir Joseph Lister, Baronet(Show More)
Written by
Frederick F. Cartwright
Emeritus Senior Lecturer in the History of Medicine, King's College Hospital, University of London. Author of Joseph Lister.
Frederick F. Cartwright
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

Joseph Lister (born April 5, 1827, Upton, Essex, Englandā€”died February 10, 1912, Walmer, Kent) was a British surgeon and medical scientist who was the founder of antiseptic medicine and a pioneer in preventive medicine. While his method, based on the use of antiseptics, is no longer employed, his principleā€”that bacteria must never gain entry into an operation woundā€”remains the basis of surgery to this day. He was made a baronet in 1883 and raised to...

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