Peter B. Medawar Quotes

A collection of quotes by Peter B. Medawar.

Sir Peter Brian Medawar was a British biologist and Nobel laureate known for his groundbreaking work in transplantation, immunology, and the theory of aging. He was born on February 28, 1915, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to British parents.

Medawar received his education at Marlborough College and Magdalen College, Oxford, where he specialized in zoology. He later worked as a civilian scientist during World War II, contributing to the war effort by studying the effects of burns and developing treatments for injured servicemen.

His most significant contributions came later in his career when he focused on understanding the immune system and the rejection of foreign tissue during transplantation. In 1944, he proposed the concept of acquired immune tolerance, which revolutionized transplantation medicine and paved the way for successful organ transplantation.

Medawar's work in immunology earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1960, jointly awarded with Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet, for their discoveries concerning acquired immunological tolerance. This recognition solidified his position as one of the leading scientists of his time.

Besides his fundamental contributions to the field of immunology, Medawar was also an avid writer and engaged in philosophical discussions. He explored the limits and potential of science while emphasizing the importance of skepticism and open-mindedness.

Sir Peter Medawar passed away on October 2, 1987, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the fields of transplantation and immunology, as well as his profound thoughts on the philosophy of science.