Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723), a Dutch textile merchant and self-taught scientist, is widely considered the first microbiologist. He was the first to identify microorganisms, which he called "animalcules," using his self-made microscopes. He observed and documented bacteria, protozoa, and other microorganisms, laying the foundation for the field of microbiology.
Though Robert Hooke (1635–1703) was the first to observe the existence of microorganisms, he did not focus on studying their biology or behavior like Leeuwenhoek did. It was Leeuwenhoek's detailed observations and meticulous documentation of these tiny creatures that truly opened up the world of microbiology.
