William Harvey, a renowned anatomist and physician, is best known for his groundbreaking discovery of the circulation of blood in the body. Through meticulous experimentation, Harvey debunked the prevailing belief that the liver was responsible for blood movement and instead revealed that the heart played a central role in blood circulation. His findings revolutionized the field of medicine and solidified his place in history. In addition to his medical research, Harvey served as a royal physician and held prestigious positions throughout his career. Towards the end of his life, he published a masterpiece on embryology, introducing the theory of epigenesis and proposing the concept of fertilization in humans and mammals.
Quick Facts
- British Celebrities Born In April Died At Age: 79
- Family: Spouse/Ex-: Elizabeth Browne, father: Tom Harvey, mother: Joan Harvey, siblings: James Harvey, John Harvey, Sarah Harvey, Thomas Harvey
- Born Country: England
- British Men
- University Of Padua
- Died on: June 3, 1657, place of death: London, England
- Notable Alumni: Gonville And Caius College, Cambridge
- Cause of Death: Cerebral Hemorrhage
- Discoveries/Inventions: Systemic Circulation
- Education: Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, University of Padua
Childhood & Early Life
William Harvey was born on April 1, 1578, in Folkestone, England, to Thomas Harvey and Joan Halke. He was the eldest of nine children. Harvey received his early education in Folkestone and later attended King’s School Canterbury. In 1593, he enrolled at Gonville and Caius College in Cambridge, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Arts in 1597. Harvey relied on scholarships to support himself during his studies. He then traveled to Italy and studied medicine and anatomy at the University of Padua, where he graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1602. Harvey was greatly influenced by his teacher, Hieronymus Fabricius, who taught him the importance of dissection in understanding the human body.
Career
After completing his education, Harvey returned to England in 1602 and earned another Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Cambridge. He became a fellow at Gonville and Caius College and moved to London to work as a physician. In 1604, he joined the College of Physicians and became a fellow three years later. Harvey was appointed as a physician at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in 1607 and rose to the position of Head Physician in 1609. In 1615, he was appointed as the Lumleian lecturer, responsible for spreading awareness and enhancing the general knowledge of anatomy in England. Harvey also served as the ‘Physician Extraordinary’ to King James I in 1618 and later served as the ‘Physician in Ordinary’ to King Charles I when he ascended to the throne in 1625. Harvey’s research and scientific work were greatly encouraged by both kings. He published his magnum opus, ‘De Motu Cordis,’ in 1628, which described the function of the heart and the circulation of blood in animals. Harvey’s discovery was met with great interest in England, although it was met with skepticism in Europe.
Later Life & Legacy
In 1636, Harvey returned to Italy and served as a doctor to a diplomatic mission. He also enjoyed the rich heritage and artistic galore of the country. During the English Civil War, Harvey served as a physician and protected the king’s children during the Battle of Edgehill. He accompanied King Charles I to Oxford and was made ‘Doctor of Physic’ in 1642. After the surrender of Oxford in 1645, Harvey retired from public life and returned to London to live with his brothers. He focused on the nature of reproduction in animals and published his second masterpiece, ‘De Generatione Animalium,’ in 1651. Harvey’s most important contribution was his book ‘De Motu Cordis,’ which described the function of the heart and the circulation of blood. He established that arteries and veins circulated blood through the body and that the lungs transformed venous blood into arterial blood. Harvey married Elizabeth Browne, but they did not have any children. He suffered from various health issues in his later life and passed away on June 3, 1657, due to a cerebral hemorrhage. Harvey’s remains were reinterred in 1883, and the William Harvey Hospital was constructed in his honor in 1973.