Ar-Razi, Also Known as Abu Bahr Muhammad Ibn Zakariyya

c. 854-c. 925 or 935

Persian physician and alchemist who was a director of hospitals and who wrote books on smallpox, measles, and comprehensive manuals collecting ancient Greek medical knowledge.

He was also a philosopher and religious critic. These writings are now lost, but his religious criticisms made him the enemy of many. He was perceived to have radical views that praised science over religion, Plato over Aristotle, and that criticized Galen. His reputation declined under repeated attacks until his medical works were translated into Latin and proved popular in Europe.