Aristotle’s History of Animals, a foundational text in the history of biology, stands as the first systematic attempt to classify animals based on their behavior and physiology. It lays the groundwork for modern zoology by introducing empirical methods of observation and dissection, laying the groundwork for future biological research. While his classifications differ from modern taxonomy, his work marked a significant shift towards understanding the natural world through systematic observation and analysis.
Louis Pasteur delivered an address at the “Sorbonne Scientific Soirée” on April 7, 1864 to present his research disproving the theory of spontaneous generation of microorganisms. He showcased his groundbreaking experiments, including the famous swan-neck flask experiment, which demonstrated that life only comes from existing life, not spontaneously from non-living matter. Read the address here
“Microscopic Investigations on the Similarity of Structure and Growth of Animals and Plants” (1839) is a seminal work that solidified the foundation of cell theory. It established that all organisms, both plants and animals, are composed of cells, which are the basic units of life. This theory, built upon Schleiden’s 1838 observation of plant cells and Schwann’s subsequent work on animal cells, revolutionized biology. Read this seminal work here.
