# Andreas Vesalius

> Flemish anatomist, physician and author (1514–1564)

**Wikidata**: [Q170267](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q170267)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreas_Vesalius)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/andreas-vesalius

## Summary
Andreas Vesalius was a Flemish anatomist, physician, and author who lived from 1514 to 1564. He is best known for writing the seminal anatomy book *De humani corporis fabrica* in 1543. His work as a scientist and university teacher established him as a foundational figure in the fields of anatomy, medicine, and surgery.

## Biography
- **Born:** 1514 (recorded as December 31, 1514, or January 1, 1514)
- **Nationality:** Habsburg Netherlands
- **Education:** Affiliated with the University of Paris, University of Padua, Old University of Leuven, University of Pisa, and University of Bologna
- **Known for:** Authoring *De humani corporis fabrica* and advancing the study of anatomy through direct observation
- **Employer(s):** University of Paris, University of Padua, Old University of Leuven, University of Pisa, University of Bologna
- **Field(s):** Anatomy, medicine, surgery, biology, physiology

## Contributions
Andreas Vesalius is credited with authoring *De humani corporis fabrica* in 1543, a landmark anatomy book that serves as his most notable work. He contributed significantly to the fields of anatomy and medicine, acting as a physician, surgeon, and anatomist. His influence extends to surgery, where he is recognized as a historical figure who laid foundations for modern techniques. Additionally, his legacy is immortalized in celestial and geographic eponyms, including the asteroid 2642 Vésale, the lunar crater Vesalius, and Mount Vesalius in Antarctica.

## FAQs
**What is Andreas Vesalius best known for?**
Andreas Vesalius is best known for authoring the 1543 anatomy book *De humani corporis fabrica* and for his work as a Flemish anatomist and physician.

**When did Andreas Vesalius live?**
He lived from 1514 to 1564, with birth dates recorded as either December 31, 1514, or January 1, 1514, and death dates as either October 16, 1564, or January 1, 1564.

**Which universities was Andreas Vesalius associated with?**
He was affiliated with several major institutions, including the University of Paris, the University of Padua, the Old University of Leuven, the University of Pisa, and the University of Bologna.

**What geographic and celestial features are named after Andreas Vesalius?**
An asteroid named 2642 Vésale, a lunar crater named Vesalius, and Mount Vesalius located on Liege Island in the Palmer Archipelago, Antarctica, are named after him.

**Who influenced Andreas Vesalius?**
The source material identifies a relationship with the 1st-century Greek physician, surgeon, and philosopher Galen, noting that Vesalius studied under him.

## Why They Matter
Andreas Vesalius matters because his 1543 work, *De humani corporis fabrica*, represents a pivotal contribution to the study of anatomy. As a Flemish anatomist and physician active during the Renaissance, he played a critical role in the advancement of medicine and surgery. His work influenced the transition from ancient to modern medical understanding, and his extensive affiliations with European universities helped disseminate anatomical knowledge. The enduring recognition of his name in astronomy and geography underscores his lasting impact on science and culture.

## Notable For
- Authoring the 1543 anatomy book *De humani corporis fabrica*.
- Being a prominent Flemish anatomist, physician, and author (1514–1564).
- Holding citizenship in the Habsburg Netherlands.
- Having an asteroid (2642 Vésale), a lunar crater, and a mountain in Antarctica named in his honor.
- Being affiliated with prestigious European institutions such as the University of Padua and the University of Paris.
- Being recognized as a historical figure in the field of surgery.
- Serving as a university teacher and influencing the academic study of anatomy.

## Body

### Identity and Classifications
Andreas Vesalius is classified as a human and held multiple professional roles throughout his life. He was an anatomist (a scientist with a specialty in anatomy), a biologist (a scientist studying living organisms), a physician (a professional who practices medicine), a surgeon (a physician with surgical specialty), a university teacher, a physiologist (a scientist who studies the function of living systems), and a writer. His primary fields of work included anatomy, medicine, and the study of living organisms.

### Life and Chronology
Vesalius was born in 1514. Source records provide two potential dates for his birth: December 31, 1514, or January 1, 1514. He died in 1564, with dates recorded as either October 16, 1564, or January 1, 1564. His nationality is identified as Habsburg Netherlands. He is also known by several aliases, including Andries van Wesel, Andreas Vesalio o Vesalius, Vesalius, Andreas, and Andries Wytinck van Wesel.

### Academic Affiliations
Andreas Vesalius was affiliated with a number of significant European universities:
- **University of Paris:** A French university active from c. 1150 to 1793.
- **University of Padua:** A prestigious public university in Padua, Italy, founded in September 1222.
- **Old University of Leuven:** A university in Leuven (Louvain) that was founded in 1425 and closed in 1797.
- **University of Pisa:** An Italian public research university located in Pisa.
- **University of Bologna:** A university located in Bologna, Italy.

### Notable Works and Publications
The most significant work attributed to Andreas Vesalius is *De humani corporis fabrica*, published in 1543. This book is categorized as an anatomy book and is cited as his notable work. His contributions to the field of surgery are also historically recognized, placing him among notable figures such as Theodor Billroth and Alexis Carrel in the surgical canon.

### Eponyms and Legacy
Vesalius's legacy is preserved through various eponyms:
- **2642 Vésale:** An asteroid named after him.
- **Vesalius:** A lunar crater named in his honor.
- **Mount Vesalius:** A mountain located on Liege Island in the Palmer Archipelago, Antarctica.

### Related Figures and Influences
The source material connects Andreas Vesalius to other key figures in history:
- **Galen:** A 1st-century Greek physician, surgeon, and philosopher. The source explicitly states that Andreas Vesalius "studied under Galen."
- **Thomas Geminus:** A Flemish engraver and printer (1510–1562) who is listed as a related person.

### Media and Representations
Visual representations of Vesalius noted in the source include a portrait titled "Vesalius Fabrica portrait.jpg" and a blazon titled "Blason d'André Vésale (Bruxelles).svg".

### Identifiers and Cataloging
Andreas Vesalius is extensively indexed across global library and authority systems. His identifiers include:
- **ISNI:** 0000000121326681
- **VIAF:** 51696979
- **GND:** 118768204
- **LCCN:** n81035178
- **NLA:** 500327607
- **BNF:** 119280900
- **SUDOC:** 027182630
- **ICCU:** BVEV026780
- **LIR:** 00476588
- **RKD:** 420317
- **NLA (old):** 500327607
- **ULAN:** 500327607
- **SELIBR:** 118768204
- **NLI:** 000318342
- **NTA:** 000614720
- **BCG:** 99626
- **BNE:** XX924825
- **NKC:** jn19990008772
- **RERO:** 02-A014681
- **SNAC:** a11091848
- **CANTIC:** 000318342
- **KULTURNAV:** 000614720
- **NLP:** 000217273
- **WORLDCATID:** 2673043
- **LATTES:** 32161
- **BIBSYS:** 902d2941-a4aa-4466-88f5-50ecef3a4c6b
- **N6I:** 902d2941-a4aa-4466-88f5-50ecef3a4c6b

He has a sitelink count of 83, indicating broad cross-referencing across language editions and knowledge bases. His Wikidata entry lists him under the Wikipedia title "Andreas Vesalius" with the description "Flemish anatomist, physician and author (1514–1564)."

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. BnF authorities
3. Integrated Authority File
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. Library of the World's Best Literature
6. Mathematics Genealogy Project
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. CiNii Research
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. MusicBrainz
11. RKDartists
12. [Source](https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/v/vesalio.htm)
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Vesalius%20Andreas)
15. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index16.html)
16. CONOR.SI
17. BBC Things
18. Shakeosphere
19. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
20. Enciclopedia Treccani
21. LIBRIS. 2012
22. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
23. Provenio
24. HMML Authority File
25. Catalogo of the National Library of India