Francesco Redi

Francesco Redi (18 February 1626 – 1 March 1697) was an Italian physician, naturalist, and poet who is recognized as the founder of experimental biology and the father of modern parasitology. He is most well-known for his experiments with maggots which demonstrated that decomposing meat does not generate spontaneously generate living organisms, a belief that was widely held at the time.

Early Life and Education

Francesco Redi was born in Arezzo, Italy, on February 18, 1626. He was the son of Gregorio Redi and Cecilia de' Ghinci. Redi received an educational background in the classics, philosophy, and medicine at the University of Pisa. He graduated in 1647 with a degree in medicine and philosophy.

Career

After his graduation, Redi moved to Florence, where he worked as a physician and naturalist for the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinando II de' Medici. He was also a member of the Accademia del Cimento, an early scientific society that was founded in Florence in 1657.

Experiments on Spontaneous Generation

Redi is best known for his series of experiments in 1668 that refuted the then widely held belief in spontaneous generation. He demonstrated that maggots arise from eggs of flies and not from decaying meat, as was commonly believed. His work is considered a significant step towards the development of the scientific method.

Death and Legacy

Francesco Redi died on March 1, 1697, in Pisa, Italy. His contributions to the field of biology and parasitology continue to be recognized and appreciated. The crater Redi on the Moon is named in his honor.

See Also

• History of biology
• History of medicine
• Scientific method