
Andreas Vesalius (31 December 1514-15 October 1564) was a Flemish anatomist and physician who is considered to be the father of the modern human anatomy. Born in Brussels, Spanish Netherlands, Vesalius came from a family of physicians and pharmacists, and he was schooled at Louvain University, graduating with an arts degree in 1532. He attended the University of Paris Medical School, where he studied anatomy and learned his trade by doing dissections of dead criminals. After graduation, he was offered the chair of surgery and anatomy of Padua, and he created detailed illustrations of anatomy for students by using six large woodcut posters. He published Tabulae Anatomicae Sex and De humani corporis fabrica, dedicating the latter to Charles V of Germany. His pamphlet on bloodletting was used on various illnesses, and he was known as the founder of anatomy everafter.