Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564) was a Flemish anatomist and physician who is often referred to as the father of modern anatomy. Born in Brussels, Vesalius studied at the University of Paris and later at the University of Padua, where he earned his doctorate in medicine. He gained widespread recognition for his seminal work "De humani corporis fabrica" (On the Fabric of the Human Body), published in 1543. This groundbreaking text was based on Vesalius's own dissections and observations, challenging the long-standing anatomical theories of Galen that had been accepted for over a thousand years.

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Vesalius's work revolutionized the understanding of human anatomy, offering detailed illustrations that served as an invaluable resource for physicians and medical students for generations. His emphasis on empirical observation and hands-on investigation laid the foundation for the scientific method in the field of medicine.