Augustus Desiré Waller

Portrait of A.D. Waller Wellcome M0012782

Augustus Desire Waller in his laboratory Wellcome L0011812

Augustus Desiré Waller (1856–1922) was a prominent physiologist known for his pioneering work in electrocardiography, a field that plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases. Waller's contributions to the development of the electrocardiograph, an instrument for recording the electrical activity of the heart, marked a significant advancement in medical science and cardiology.

Early Life and Education

Augustus Desiré Waller was born in Paris, France, to a family with a strong background in the sciences. His father, Augustus Volney Waller, was a noted neurophysiologist who made significant contributions to the understanding of the nervous system. Following in his father's footsteps, Waller pursued an education in the medical sciences, focusing on physiology and the electrical properties of the heart.

Career and Research

Waller's career was primarily based at St. Mary's Hospital in London, where he conducted much of his groundbreaking research. He was deeply interested in the mechanisms of the heart and its electrical activity, which led him to develop the first practical electrocardiograph. This early version of the electrocardiograph was a capillary electrometer, which recorded the heart's electrical activity on a smoked glass plate.

Waller's work demonstrated for the first time that the heart's activity could be recorded and visualized, paving the way for future advancements in electrocardiography. His research showed that the electrical activity of the heart could provide valuable information about the heart's condition, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases.

Legacy

Augustus Desiré Waller's contributions to the field of electrocardiography have had a lasting impact on medical science. His pioneering work laid the foundation for the development of modern electrocardiography, which is now a standard tool in the diagnosis and management of heart diseases. Waller's research has helped save countless lives by enabling early detection and treatment of heart conditions.

Selected Publications

Waller published numerous papers and articles on the electrical activity of the heart and the development of electrocardiography. Some of his most notable publications include studies on the application of the electrocardiograph in clinical settings and the interpretation of electrocardiograms.

Death and Honors

Augustus Desiré Waller passed away in 1922. Throughout his life, he received several honors and recognitions for his contributions to medical science and physiology. His legacy continues to influence the field of cardiology and the use of electrocardiography in medical practice.