There are many doctors who have greatly influenced and shaped humanity over the years. Many of these doctors invented cures for diseases which for many years had claimed many lives. Others discovered diseases whereas others are famous due to their criminal characters and activities. The following are the names of the most famous doctors and why or what made them so famous

Virginia Apgar (June 7, 1909 – August 77, 1974): Virginia was an American doctor who devoted her life to the advancement of anesthesia and pediatrics. Because of her proficiency in the fields of teratology and anesthesiology, she introduced the field of neonatology. Moreover, Virginia Apgar is remembered for developing the Apgar test, which is a procedure that is used to determine the health of newborn babies. This method has greatly reduced the infant mortality of children all over the world.

Jean Astruc (March 19, 1684 – May 5, 1766): Jean was a French professor of medicine who discovered and wrote about the cure of syphilis and other venereal diseases. He was also involved in the extensive study of the book of Genesis and wrote several famous manuscripts describing how Moses had initially written the book of Genesis. These writings are highly regarded for they explain more about the old and new testaments.

Jean Martin Charcot (November 29, 1825 –August 16, 1893): Jean a French doctor was a professor of pathology. He is referred to as the founder of modern neurology. Due to his extensive work and research in this field, his works have greatly being used in the advancement of psychology and neurology.

Jean Martin believed that hysteria and hypnosis are caused by hereditary problems in the nervous system. Moreover, he invented Charcot Marie Tooth disease. Another discovery by Charcoat was a joint disorder referred to as Charcot arthropathy, which occurs when there is a loss of prorioception in joints.

John Bodkin Adams (January 1899 – July 4, 1983): John Bodkin was a dangerous criminal doctor. He was born in Ireland and worked as a practitioner. Bodkin was convicted as a serious serial killer and fraudster during his many years a physician. Surprisingly, it was established that during the years 1946-1956 about 160 patients died under mysterious circumstances while being under his watch. In 1957 doctor John Bodkin Adams was prosecuted and charged in a murder trail that later came to be known as the murder trial of the century.

Harold Shipman (January 14, 1946 – January 13, 2004): Harold Shipman was a British physician who later became a convicted serial killer. He killed 218 patients and on 31st January 2000 physician Harold Shipman was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. Shipman inquiry was formed and lasted for two years, substantial evidence showed that Shipman had killed over 250 people, 219 of whom were identified.

Amazingly, 80% of his patients were women. The findings and recommendations made by the Shipman’s inquiry led to a major review on the healthcare legal structure in Britain. In 2004, Harold Shipman hanged himself in his cell room.