Rudolf Ludwig Carl Virchow (; ; 13 October 1821 – 5 September 1902) was a
German doctor,
anthropologist,
pathologist,
prehistorian,
biologist, writer, editor, and politician, known for his advancement of
public health. He is known as "the father of modern
pathology" because his work helped to discredit
humourism, bringing
more science to medicine. He is also known as the founder of
social medicine and veterinary pathology, and to his colleagues, the "Pope of medicine".