His, Wilhelm (1831-1904)

Swiss anatomist and physician. He is best known for his research on the embryology of the nervous system, the mode of origin of nerve fibres, and the developing human embryo. He introduced the use of the microtome into microscopical research, which enabled the cutting of serial sections. He was the founder of Die Zeitschrift fur Anatomie und Entwicklungsgeschichte/Journal of Anatomy and Development in 1875.

His is considered a pioneer of modern medicine. He was born in Basel, Switzerland. He became professor of anatomy and physiology at Basel University in 1857, and professor of anatomy and director of the Institute of Anatomy at Leipzig University in Germany in 1872.