Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) was a Dutch linen merchant and scientist known as the Father of Microbiology. He handcrafted basic microscopes that allowed for up to 300x magnification and was the first to observe microbes like bacteria and fungi. Using his homemade microscopes, he described microscopic "animalcules" found in rainwater and other samples. His discoveries laid the foundations for microbiology and he was elected as a member of the Royal Society.