Albert Freeman Africanus King
Albert Freeman Africanus King | |
|---|---|
| File:Albert Freeman Africanus King.jpg Albert Freeman Africanus King, circa 1900 | |
| Born | 18 January 1841 |
| Died | 13 December 1914 |
| Nationality | British-American |
| Occupation | Physician, Professor |
| Known for | Proposing the mosquito-malaria theory |
Albert Freeman Africanus King (18 January 1841 – 13 December 1914) was a British-American physician and one of the first to suggest that malaria was transmitted by mosquitoes. He was a prominent figure in the medical community of Washington, D.C. and served as a professor at George Washington University.
Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]
Albert Freeman Africanus King was born in London, England, in 1841. He was named "Africanus" in honor of his father's travels in Africa. King emigrated to the United States in his youth and pursued a career in medicine. He graduated from the Columbian College, now known as George Washington University, with a degree in medicine.
Medical Career[edit | edit source]
King began his medical practice in Washington, D.C., where he quickly became known for his expertise in infectious diseases. He was appointed as a professor of obstetrics at the Columbian College and later served as a physician at the Freedmen's Hospital.
Contributions to Malaria Research[edit | edit source]
In 1882, King proposed the radical idea that malaria was transmitted by mosquitoes. This was a significant departure from the prevailing miasma theory, which held that diseases were spread by "bad air." King's hypothesis was initially met with skepticism, but it laid the groundwork for future research by scientists such as Ronald Ross and Giovanni Battista Grassi, who eventually confirmed the mosquito-malaria connection.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Albert Freeman Africanus King's contributions to the understanding of malaria transmission were pivotal in the development of modern epidemiology. His work helped shift the focus from environmental factors to biological vectors in the study of infectious diseases. King continued to teach and practice medicine until his death in 1914.
Also see[edit | edit source]
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