William Harvey (1 April 1578 – 3 June 1657) was an English
physician who made seminal contributions in
anatomy and
physiology. He was the first known to describe completely and in detail the
systemic circulation and properties of
blood being pumped to the
brain and body by the
heart, though earlier writers, such as Miguel Servet (aka Michael Servetus, Michel de Villeneuve) in: 'Restitutio Christianismi', Paris, 1546, and
Jacques Dubois, had provided precursors of the theory. After his death the
William Harvey Hospital was constructed in the town of
Ashford, several miles from his birthplace of Folkestone.