Anthony van Leeuwenhoek

Anthony van Leeuwenhoek was born to Margaretha Jacobsdochter van den Berch and Thonis Philipszoon van Leeuwenhoek, a basket maker, in Delft, Netherlands. He was the fifth of seven children.

At the age of 16, van Leeuwenhoek began his apprenticeship as a draper in Amsterdam, where he learned the trade and developed an interest in lenses for fabric inspection.

Van Leeuwenhoek returned to Delft and married Barbara de Mey, the daughter of a well-to-do cloth merchant. They had one surviving daughter, Maria, and he took over his father-in-law's business.

Van Leeuwenhoek secured a position as a chamberlain for the Delft sheriffs' court, a stable and respected role that allowed him more time to pursue his scientific interests.

Inspired by his work with lenses, van Leeuwenhoek began constructing his own microscopes and making detailed observations of various microorganisms, which he called 'animalcules.'

Van Leeuwenhoek made one of his most significant discoveries: the existence of microorganisms in water, which he described in letters to the Royal Society of London.

In recognition of his groundbreaking work, van Leeuwenhoek was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London, despite his lack of formal scientific training.

Van Leeuwenhoek published 'Arcana Naturae Detecta,' a collection of his observations and discoveries, which solidified his reputation as a pioneering microscopist.

Van Leeuwenhoek corresponded with Tsar Peter the Great of Russia, who visited him in Delft to see his microscopes and learn about his scientific work.

Anthony van Leeuwenhoek died in Delft, Netherlands, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering microscopic discoveries and a vast collection of letters and observations.