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Born in West Ham, England to a Joseph Jackson Lister a British opticist and physicist and his wife Isabella Harris.
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Obtains a Bachelor of Arts degree from University college in London.
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Graduated from University College with a Bachelor of Medicine with honors and became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons.
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Appointed as a surgeon at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, after years of being an assistant to James Syme, a famous surgeon of his time. -
Begins searching for antiseptic techniques for wounds, after reading a paper by the famous Louis Pasteur.
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Applies a solution of carbolic acid to serious leg wound on a seven year old boy. No infection occurred and the experimental solution was a success. This was a huge breakthrough in medicine, before this discovery wounds often became seriously infected and there was no one such thing as sterilization. -
Publishes a paper on his findings called the Antiseptic Principle of the Practice of Surgery. Advocating fellow surgeons to use carbolic acid on wounds, instruments, and hands. In order to to kill any germs that may be present. -
Appointed professor of clinical surgery at King's College London.
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Retires from Kings College.
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Passed away on February 10, 1912. Leaving behind his knowledge on antiseptic surgery, that revolutionized the medical field and saved countless lives.