Alfredo Kanthack

Alfredo Antunes Kanthack (4 March 1863 – 21 December 1898) was a Brazilian-born microbiologist and pathologist who worked in England. His distinguished career was cut short by his premature death at the age of 35.

Early life Alfredo Antunes Kanthack was born on 4 March 1863 in Bahia, Brazil, the second son of Emilio Kanthack, and lived in Brazil until he was six years old when his father's business took the family firstly to Germany in 1869, and then to Liverpool in 1881.

Education From 1871-1881 he went to school in Germany, first in Hamburg and then in Wandsbek, Lüneburg, and Gutersloh. but was unable to take up the post due to ill-health. This required Kanthack to travel to and from St Bartholomew's and the University. In the spring of 1897 he moved to Cambridge where he was given an honorary MA and elected a Fellow of King's. In the autumn he succeeded Roy as Professor of Pathology at the age of 34.

Shortly before his death he recommended one of his promising students, Walter Myers, for a John Lucas Walker scholarship.

Kanthack is credited for the use of formalin as a histological fixative. to establish a library in the Pathology Department which still bears his name,