Albert Freeman Africanus King

Albert Freeman Africanus King (January 1841 – December 13, 1914) was a prominent physician in the United States who is best known for his work on malaria. He was one of the first to suggest that mosquitoes were the vectors for malaria transmission.

Early Life and Education

Albert King was born in Maldon, Essex, England. He moved to the United States where he pursued his medical education. King graduated from the Columbian College, now known as George Washington University, with a degree in medicine.

Career

King worked as a physician in Washington, D.C., where he became involved in the study of infectious diseases. His most notable contribution to medicine was his hypothesis regarding the transmission of malaria.

Malaria Research

In the late 19th century, malaria was a significant public health issue, particularly in the Southern United States. King proposed that Anopheles mosquitoes were responsible for spreading the disease. This was a groundbreaking idea at the time and laid the foundation for future research that confirmed the role of mosquitoes in malaria transmission.

Legacy

Albert King's work on malaria was instrumental in changing the understanding of how the disease spread. His insights helped pave the way for the development of mosquito control strategies that have been crucial in reducing the incidence of malaria worldwide.

See Also

• Malaria
• Mosquito
• Infectious disease
• George Washington University

External Links

• CDC Malaria Information
• WHO Malaria Fact Sheet