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Portrait of Walter Reed

Walter Reed

Major Walter Reed, the Army physician who confirmed that mosquitoes transmit yellow fever, was born in Gloucester County, Virginia.

Profession
Physician, Army surgeon
Born
September 13, 1851
Years active
1875–1902

Early life

Born in Belroi in 1851, Reed earned a medical degree from the University of Virginia at just seventeen and joined the Army Medical Corps.

Career

He led the U.S. Army Yellow Fever Board in Cuba, whose experiments proved that the disease is spread by mosquitoes.

Major achievements

His work enabled the control of yellow fever and made possible the building of the Panama Canal.

Legacy

Reed's name endures at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and across the field of tropical medicine.

References

Frequently asked questions about Walter Reed

What is Walter Reed known for?
Major Walter Reed, the Army physician who confirmed that mosquitoes transmit yellow fever, was born in Gloucester County, Virginia. Walter Reed is recognized as a physician and army surgeon.
Where is Walter Reed from?
Walter Reed is from Belroi, Virginia.
When was Walter Reed born?
Walter Reed was born on September 13, 1851, in Belroi, Virginia.
Is Walter Reed still active?
Walter Reed was professionally active from 1875 to 1902.

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