David Hendricks Bergey

David Hendricks Bergey (1860–1937) was a prominent bacteriologist, best known for his work in the classification and identification of bacteria. He was a key figure in the development of the Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, a comprehensive reference work that is still widely used in the field today.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Bergey was born in Pennsylvania in 1860. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his MD in 1884. He later pursued further studies in bacteriology, a field that was still in its infancy at the time.

Career[edit | edit source]

After completing his education, Bergey worked as a physician in Pennsylvania for several years. He then joined the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania, where he taught bacteriology. He was also a member of the American Society for Microbiology, serving as its president in 1921.

Bergey's most significant contribution to bacteriology was his work on the classification and identification of bacteria. He was the first editor of the Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, a comprehensive reference work that provides descriptions of the taxonomy, morphology, and biochemical characteristics of every species of bacteria. The manual, first published in 1923, has been updated and expanded several times and is still widely used in the field today.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Bergey's work has had a lasting impact on the field of bacteriology. His manual has become a standard reference work, used by researchers and clinicians around the world. The Bergey's Manual Trust, established in his honor, continues to oversee the publication and updating of the manual.

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David Hendricks Bergey