Gasparo Tagliacozzi

Gasparo Tagliacozzi (1546 – November 7, 1599) was an Italian surgeon. Tagliacozzi was born in Bologna. He studied at the University of Bologna under Gerolamo Cardano and others, and, at the age of twenty-four, earned his degree in philosophy and medicine. First he was appointed professor of surgery and later was appointed professor of anatomy. He became notorious in his field and is considered the father of Plastic Surgery. He continued the work ... more

Gasparo Tagliacozzi (1546 – November 7, 1599) was an Italian surgeon. Tagliacozzi was born in Bologna. He studied at the University of Bologna under Gerolamo Cardano and others, and, at the age of twenty-four, earned his degree in philosophy and medicine. First he was appointed professor of surgery and later was appointed professor of anatomy. He became notorious in his field and is considered the father of Plastic Surgery. He continued the work of the sicilian Surgeon Gustavo Branca and his son Antonio (who lived in Catania in the 1400s), developing the so called "italian method" of plastic surgery which was radically different from the "indian method" described in other texts, being much more practical. Tagliacozzi died at Bologna in 1599. His principal work is entitled De Curtorum Chirurgia per Insitionem Libri Duo (1597). less