Invented by Dr Edward Jenner, the smallpox vaccine is one of the most significant medical advancements in history. It was invented in Gloucestershire, England in 1796.
Dr Edward Jenner was born in 1749 and grew up on a farm in Gloucestershire. He began his medical training in London in 1770 and returned to Gloucestershire to work as a surgeon in 1772.
Jenner became interested in vaccination after hearing about the work of Benjamin Jesty, who had vaccinated his wife and family against smallpox using cowpox (a related virus). In 1796, Jenner vaccinated James Phipps, a eight year old boy, with cowpox. Phipps remained healthy after being exposed to smallpox. Jenner published his findings later that year.
The smallpox vaccine was met with some resistance at first but was eventually adopted by governments around the world and used for over 200 years before it was replaced by other vaccines for other diseases such as polio and measles.
