Max Theiler

Life
1899-1972 (73 years old)

Country
South Africa

Year of great discovery/work
1930

Theiler’s first big breakthroughs were his discoveries that mice could be used experimentally in place of the rhesus monkeys and that they had several practical research advantages. After Theiler’s work on yellow fever, mice came into widespread use for studies of viruses that affect humans and animals. In 1951, Theiler received the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology “for his discoveries concerning yellow fever and how to combat it.”

Did you know?
He was the first African-born Nobel Prize winner.