Back

Facts for Kids

William Harvey was an English physician and scientist renowned for his discovery of blood circulation, fundamentally altering the understanding of the cardiovascular system.

Overview

Legacy And Honors

Early Life And Education

Controversies And Criticism

Methodology And Experiments

Further Reading And Resources

Discovery Of Blood Circulation

Impact On Medicine And Anatomy

William Harvey In Popular Culture

Publications And Scientific Influence

main image

Inside this Article

Andreas Vesalius

Royal Society

Information

Discovery

Detective

Medicine

Arteries

Did you know?

โค๏ธ William Harvey is best known for discovering the circulation of blood in the human body.

๐Ÿ“š He was a professor at the Royal College of Physicians in London.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Harvey published his groundbreaking work, 'De Motu Cordis,' in 1628.

๐Ÿ‘ถ He was born on April 1, 1578, in Folkestone, England.

๐Ÿฐ Harvey attended the University of Cambridge and later, the University of Padua.

๐Ÿฉธ He demonstrated that the heart pumps blood, which then circulates throughout the body.

๐Ÿ•ฐ๏ธ Harvey's work laid the foundation for modern physiology and cardiovascular medicine.

๐Ÿ He studied and observed the circulation in various animals, including frogs and eels.

๐Ÿ… Harvey's discoveries were initially met with skepticism but eventually revolutionized medicine.

โš–๏ธ He accurately described the function of valves in the veins, preventing backflow of blood.

Introduction

William Harvey was a famous English doctor born on April 1, 1578, in Folkestone, England. ๐Ÿฅ

He is best known for discovering how blood circulates through our bodies. Before his time, people thought blood was made and used in the liver. Harvey showed that our heart acts like a pump, sending blood all over our body! ๐Ÿ’“

His big ideas helped change medicine forever. Harvey passed away on June 3, 1657, but his discoveries continue to be important today. He is remembered as one of the greatest early scientists in the field of medicine! ๐ŸŒŸ

Read Less

Legacy And Honors

William Harvey's work has had a lasting impact on science and medicine. Many hospitals, schools, and societies honor him for his contributions. ๐Ÿ…

For example, the Royal Society of London, which supports scientific research, recognizes his achievements. There are statues of Harvey in places like London and memorials in medical schools. ๐Ÿ“

Every October 1st, many celebrate his birthday as "William Harvey Day"! His discoveries are still taught in schools today, reminding us that one person can change the world through science. ๐ŸŒ

Read Less

Early Life And Education

William Harvey grew up in a family that valued education. ๐Ÿ“š

He studied at a school in Canterbury and then went to Cambridge University, where he learned about medicine. After that, Harvey moved to Italy to study at the University of Padua. There, he learned from great teachers, including the famous anatomist Andreas Vesalius. ๐Ÿง‘

โ€โš•๏ธ Harvey earned his degree in 1602 and returned to England. He worked at Saint Bartholomew's Hospital, where he saw many patients. This experience helped him understand how the human body works! ๐Ÿฅ

Read Less

Controversies And Criticism

While many people admired William Harvey for his discoveries, not everyone agreed with him! ๐Ÿค”

Some doctors at the time felt that his ideas were too new and questioned his methods. They believed blood was produced in the liver and didnโ€™t circulate. It took years before everyone accepted Harvey's ideas. ๐Ÿ’ญ

However, his boldness in sharing his findings encouraged others to question what was known. Even with criticism, Harveyโ€™s perseverance helped make discoveries that are now critical to modern medicine. Every scientist faces challenges! ๐ŸŒˆ

Read Less

Methodology And Experiments

To prove his blood circulation theory, William Harvey used a lot of careful observation and experimentation! ๐Ÿ”

He studied many animals, like dogs and fish, observing how their hearts worked. Harvey even tied off veins to see how blood flowed. ๐Ÿถ

He noticed that when he blocked a vein, blood stopped moving in that area. This made him realize blood must circulate continuously. He carefully recorded his findings and shared them with other scientists. His methods were like detective work, helping him solve the mystery of how our hearts and blood worked! ๐Ÿ•ต

๏ธโ€โ™‚๏ธ
Read Less

Further Reading And Resources

If you want to learn more about William Harvey, here are some great resources! ๐Ÿ“š

Check out books like "The Heart and Circulation" for kids or "The History of Medicine" series. You can also explore online museums or science websites to find fun facts about Harvey's life and work. ๐ŸŒ

Watch videos that explain blood circulation in simple ways. Even your teacher might have extra information to share! Harveyโ€™s story is exciting, and there's always more to discover! ๐Ÿ”

Read Less

Discovery Of Blood Circulation

Harvey made a monumental discovery about blood circulation in the early 1600s. He realized that blood flows in a circle throughout our bodies, starting from the heart. ๐Ÿซ€

Harvey published his findings in a book called "De Motu Cordis" in 1628. In this book, he explained that the heart pumps blood into arteries and returns through veins. He performed many experiments to prove his ideas. ๐Ÿ’ก

People were amazed! Harvey's discovery helped others understand how our bodies work, opening the door to modern medicine! ๐Ÿšช

Read Less

Impact On Medicine And Anatomy

William Harvey's discoveries changed medicine forever! ๐Ÿฅ

After he proved that blood circulates, doctors began to understand how the heart, arteries, and veins worked together. ๐Ÿ’“

This knowledge led to better treatments for diseases and injuries related to the heart. Harvey's work also encouraged more research in human and animal anatomy. Knowledge of blood circulation helped with surgeries and even blood transfusions! ๐Ÿš‘

Today, Harvey is remembered for his vital role in advancing medicine, which has saved countless lives over the years. ๐Ÿ™Œ

Read Less

William Harvey In Popular Culture

William Harvey might not be a superhero, but heโ€™s a true hero in the world of science! ๐Ÿ’ช

His story can be found in books, documentaries, and even children's games. In some schools, kids learn about him during biology lessons. ๐Ÿซ

Movies and shows that talk about medicine or the human body often mention his amazing discoveries! Harveyโ€™s life shows that curiosity and determination can lead to important discoveries, inspiring young scientists everywhere! ๐ŸŒŸ

Read Less

Publications And Scientific Influence

William Harveyโ€™s most famous book, "De Motu Cordis," was groundbreaking! ๐Ÿ“–

It changed how people viewed the heart and blood. Harvey wrote in Latin, which was common for scholars at the time, and his work influenced many later scientists. Some of these scientists included Marcello Malpighi and Giovanni Alfonso Borelli, who studied tiny blood vessels and muscles! ๐Ÿงช

Harvey's ideas spread throughout Europe, leading to new research in anatomy and physiology. His work laid the groundwork for modern medical science, affecting doctors and researchers for centuries! ๐ŸŒ

Read Less

William Harvey Quiz

Q1
Question 1 of 10
Next

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DIY back?!
How do I reactivate my account?
How do I sign up?
Are the android and iOS apps coming back?
What is DIY?
What is a โ€œChallengeโ€ on DIY?
What is a โ€œCourseโ€ on DIY?
What are โ€œSkillsโ€ on DIY?
What if I'm new to all thisโ€”where do I begin?
Do I need special materials or equipment?
Is DIY safe for kids?
Can I collaborate with other DIYers on a project?
How do Mentors, Mods, and Jr. Mods help us?
What is DIY?
What's the recommended age for DIY?

Our Mission

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Download on AppStoreDownload on Google Play

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraftโ„ข, Mojang, Microsoft, Robloxโ„ข or YouTube. LEGOยฎ is a trademark of the LEGOยฎ Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.