Norman McAlister Gregg

Life
1892-1966 (74 years old)

Country
Australia

Year of great discovery/work
1941

While serving as a physician in the army during World War II, Gregg noticed a high incidence of cataracts among infants he saw. A little bit of detective worked led him to figure out that many of the patients’ mothers experienced a rubella infection early during pregnancy, leading him to conclude that rubella infection during pregnancy led to birth defects in babies. This is one of the first pieces of evidence to support the importance of the prenatal environment for a developing baby.

Did you know?
Gregg had many interests. He was involved in student government and played sports, like cricket, tennis, baseball and swimming during college.