Anthony Epstein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir
Anthony Epstein
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Michael Anthony Epstein
18 May 1921 London, England
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| Died | 6 February 2024 (aged 102) |
| Education | St Paul's School, London |
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| Known for | Epstein–Barr virus |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Virology |
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Sir Michael Anthony Epstein (1921–2024) was a famous British scientist. He was a pathologist, which is a doctor who studies diseases. Sir Anthony is best known for helping to discover the Epstein–Barr virus. He found this virus with his colleagues, Yvonne Barr and Bert Achong.
Early Life and Education
Michael Anthony Epstein was born in London, England, on May 18, 1921. He went to St Paul's School. Later, he studied at Trinity College, Cambridge and Middlesex Hospital Medical School. In 2006, he received a special degree called a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) from the University of Bristol. This degree is given for very important scientific work. Sir Anthony lived a long life, turning 100 years old in May 2021. He passed away on February 6, 2024, at the age of 102.
His Scientific Career
Sir Anthony Epstein was a Professor of Pathology at the University of Bristol. He held this important position from 1968 to 1985. He was also the head of his department for many years. After he retired, he became a "professor emeritus," which means he kept his title because of his great contributions.
In 1979, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of London. This is a very old and respected group for top scientists. He was even the vice-president of the Royal Society from 1986 to 1991. For his excellent work, he was given the Royal Medal in 1992.
Sir Anthony also received high honors from the British government. He was awarded the CBE in 1985. In 1991, he was knighted, which is why he was called "Sir." He was also a Fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford, and helped start the Academy of Medical Sciences in 1998.
Discovering the Epstein–Barr Virus
Sir Anthony Epstein made a huge discovery about a type of cancer called Burkitt's lymphoma. In 1961, he heard a talk by another scientist, Denis Parsons Burkitt. Burkitt described this new cancer, which was common in children in Africa.
Epstein then had a new idea: he thought this cancer might be caused by a virus. At the time, he was studying viruses that caused cancer in chickens. He decided to change his research to focus on Burkitt's lymphoma.
For more than two years, he worked hard. He studied cancer cells from patients with Burkitt's lymphoma. He tried to find a virus inside these cells. Finally, in February 1964, he and his team found it! They named this new virus the Epstein–Barr virus, or EBV, after him and his colleague Yvonne Barr. This discovery was a big step forward in understanding how viruses can cause cancer.
See also
In Spanish: Anthony Epstein para niños
