On This Day

First successful human kidney transplant is performed by Dr. Joseph E. Murray at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston,

First successful human kidney transplant is performed by Dr. Joseph E. Murray at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts

Joseph Edward Murray (April 1, 1919 – November 26, 2012) was an American plastic surgeon who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1990 with E. Donnall Thomas for "their discoveries concerning organ and cell transplantation in the treatment of human disease."

Murray is known as the "father of transplantation" for major milestones in the field of transplantation, including performing the first successful human kidney transplant, defining brain death, organizing the first international conference on human kidney transplants, and founding the National Kidney Registry, the forerunner of the current United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS).

Historical Significance

Joseph Edward Murray (April 1, 1919 – November 26, 2012) was an American plastic surgeon who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1990 with E.

Events Before

  1. Hank Williams dies

    Hank Williams, American singer, songwriter, and musician, known for american singer, songwriter, and musician, died on 1953-01-01.

  2. Ernest Bloch's work for viola and piano, "Suite Hébraïque," part of his "Jewish Cycle," premieres in Chicago

    Ernest Bloch's work for viola and piano, "Suite Hébraïque," part of his "Jewish Cycle," premieres in Chicago

  3. US President Harry Truman announces the United States’ development of the hydrogen bomb

    Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953.

  4. Cricketer Richie Benaud (22) weds Marcia Lavender at the Wesley Church in Sydney, Australia

    Cricketer Richie Benaud (22) weds Marcia Lavender at the Wesley Church in Sydney, Australia

  5. US Court of Appeals rules that organized baseball is a sport and not a business, affirming the 25-year-old Supreme Court

    US Court of Appeals rules that organized baseball is a sport and not a business, affirming the 25-year-old Supreme Court ruling

Events After

  1. "The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)

    "The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)

  2. Bhutan issues its first postage stamps

    The first postage stamps of Bhutan were issued in 1962, the same year that the first motorable road was opened.

  3. Marian Anderson is the first African American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera, singing the role of Ulric

    Marian Anderson is the first African American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera, singing the role of Ulrica in Giuseppe Verdi's "Un ballo in maschera"

  4. American film director Stanley Kubrick (26) weds second wife, Austrian theatrical designer Ruth Sobotka (29); divorce in

    American film director Stanley Kubrick (26) weds second wife, Austrian theatrical designer Ruth Sobotka (29); divorce in 1957

  5. "The Millionaire" TV series premieres on CBS

    "The Millionaire" TV series premieres on CBS

More from the 1950s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 23, 1954?
Joseph Edward Murray (April 1, 1919 – November 26, 2012) was an American plastic surgeon who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1990 with E. Donnall Thomas for "their discoveries concerning organ and cell transplantation in the treatment of human disease." Murray is known as the "father of transplantation" for major milestones in the field of transplantation, including performing the first successful human kidney transplant, defining brain death, organizing the first international conference on human kidney transplants, and founding the National Kidney Registry, the forerunner of the current United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS).
Why is First successful human kidney transplant is performed by Dr. Joseph E. Murray... significant?
Joseph Edward Murray (April 1, 1919 – November 26, 2012) was an American plastic surgeon who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1990 with E.

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