Joseph Lister was a British surgeon born in 1827, known for pioneering antiseptic surgery. He introduced the use of carbolic acid to sterilize surgical instruments and clean wounds, significantly reducing the risk of infection during operations. His work laid the foundation for modern surgical practices and improved patient outcomes. Lister's innovations were influenced by the germ theory of disease, which was developed by scientists like Louis Pasteur. His methods gained acceptance in the medical community, leading to a dramatic decrease in surgical mortality rates. Lister's contributions earned him recognition as the father of antiseptic surgery, and he was later made a baronet for his achievements.