Andreas Vesalius

Andries van Wezel, latinised as Andreas Vesalius, was an anatomist and physician who wrote De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem, what is considered to be one of the most influential books on human anatomy and a major advance over the long-dominant work of Galen. Vesalius is often referred to as the founder of modern human anatomy. He was born in Brussels, which was then part of the Habsburg Netherlands. He was a professor at the University of Padua (1537–1542) and later became Imperial physician at the court of Emperor Charles V.

31 December 1514

Born on the same birth day (31 December): Alexander Smith (poet) • Bryon Russell • Craig Gordon • Henry I, Duke of Guise • Junot Díaz • Sander Schutgens • Tomás Balduino • Valerie Pearl • Winston Benjamin