# Alexander Fleming

Scottish bacteriologist who discovered penicillin in 1928 when he observed that mold from the Penicillium genus was killing the bacteria in his petri dish. This accidental discovery led to the development of antibiotics, which have since saved hundreds of millions of lives. He shared the 1945 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

## Quick Facts

- **Born:** August 6, 1881
- **Birthplace:** Darvel, Scotland
- **Nationality:** British
- **Occupation:** bacteriologist
- **Category:** Scholars & Educators
- **Also Known As:** Discoverer of Penicillin

## Overview

Sir Alexander Fleming was a Scottish physician and microbiologist. He shared the 1945 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Howard Florey and Ernst Chain "for the discovery of penicillin and its curative effect in various infectious diseases". This was the first antibiotic substance discovered. His discovery in 1928 of what was later named benzylpenicillin from the mould Penicillium rubens has been described as the "single greatest victory ever achieved over disease".

## Wikipedia Context

This profile section is complemented from Wikipedia for Alexander Fleming. Scottish physician and microbiologist (1881–1955)

## Sources

Primary source page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Fleming

## Timeline

### 1881 — Birth
Birth of Alexander Fleming.

### 2026 — Wikipedia Complement
Profile metadata and editorial blocks were complemented using Wikipedia and Wikidata references.

### 2026 — Profile Update
Structured profile components were updated to improve completeness.

## Quotes

> "Profile note: Alexander Fleming was complemented using Wikipedia reference material."
> — Alexander Fleming, Peoplebio editorial note (2026)

> "Editorial note: This block stores profile notes and source context, not attributed quotations."
> — Alexander Fleming, Peoplebio editorial note (2026)

> "Source note: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Fleming"
> — Alexander Fleming, Peoplebio editorial note (2026)

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Source: https://peoplebio.info/p/alexander-fleming