45 Historical Figures Who Were Misunderstood During Their Lifetime

Joseph Lister, the pioneering surgeon of the 19th century, found himself a lone advocate for germ theory in a medical world steeped in skepticism. At a time when the prevailing belief attributed infections to “bad air” and miasmas, Lister’s groundbreaking idea that microorganisms were responsible for postoperative infections was met with disdain and disbelief.

His innovation of antiseptic surgical techniques, including the use of carbolic acid to sterilize instruments and wounds, faced fierce opposition from his peers. Lister’s unyielding commitment to germ theory was initially marginalized, but his rigorous documentation of reduced infection rates in his patients began to turn the tide.