Leeuwenhoek: observing a world of microorganisms

What changed

Described tiny organisms in water and infusions through microscopy in a dated letter to the Royal Society.

Scientific scope

Described tiny organisms in water and infusions through microscopy in a dated letter to the Royal Society. Scope limitation: 1676 identifies the retained letter. Historical descriptions do not supply modern species identifications or a complete germ theory of disease.

Evidence

Assessment uses the catalogue-linked source evidence for the stated contribution. 1676 identifies the retained letter. Historical descriptions do not supply modern species identifications or a complete germ theory of disease.

Contributors

• Antoni van Leeuwenhoek · SCIENCE: Named source contributor; exact labor shares are not measured.

• Leeuwenhoek: observing a world of microorganisms — institutional collection or historical source

Provisional WRS assessment, edition 2026-10-16.1. Independent expert calibration is pending. This grade does not certify correctness or assign ownership.

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