Almroth Edward Wright

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Almroth Edward Wright

1861-1947

British pathologist, bacteriologist, and immunologist who developed a vaccine against typhoid fever. Wright studied literature and medicine, specializing in pathological anatomy. In 1892 he joined the Army Medical School and began a decade of research in blood coagulation and bacteriology. His typhoid vaccine was tested on British troops in India, and later proved effective when used by British soldiers during the Boer War in South Africa. During World War I, Wright scientifically justified the early closure of wounds to reduce infection. Blunt and unconventional, he made many enemies, but his students dominated British immunology for decades.