Historical Figure
Anthony Fauci
b. 1940
American immunologist (born 1940)
Talk to Anthony Fauci
Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI
Biography
Anthony Stephen Fauci is an American physician-scientist and immunologist who served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) from 1984 to 2022, and the chief medical advisor to the president from 2021 to 2022. Fauci was one of the world's most frequently cited scientists across all scientific journals from 1983 to 2002. In 2008, President George W. Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, for his work on the AIDS relief program PEPFAR.
In Their Own Words (5)
It could be really, really bad. I don't think it's gonna be, because I think we'd be able to do the kind of mitigation. It could be mild. I don't think it's going to be that mild either. It's really going to depend on how we mobilize.
About the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States, quoted in You don't want to go to war with a president, 3 March 2020, ''''. , 2020
Fauci says 'we need to keep the politics out of' investigating COVID origins
(Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House Chief Medical Advisor and Director of the NIAID, addresses reporters during the daily briefing at the White House on Tuesday, November 22, 2022) , 2022
I don't regret that. At that time, there was a paucity of equipment that our health care providers needed -- who put themselves daily in harm's way of taking care of people who are ill. We did not want to divert masks and PPE away from them, to be used by the people.
Congressional testimony on early recommendations that people not wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The mask decision that will haunt Trump's reelection bid, CNN (July 6, 2020). , 2020
I really feel strongly that we should get them vaccinated as soon as we possibly can. You want him fully protected as he enters into the presidency in January. So that would be my strong recommendation.
Anthony Fauci, referring to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President Mike Pence on ABC's Good Morning America according to "Biden, Pence to get Covid vaccine soon", published December 16, 2020. , 2020
I can't jump in front of the microphone and push him down. OK, he said it. Let's try and get it corrected for the next time.
On his response to misstatements by Donald Trump during COVID-19 press briefings, in Jon Cohen, "‘I’m going to keep pushing.’ Anthony Fauci tries to make the White House listen to facts of the pandemic", Science (March 22, 2020). , 2020
Timeline
The story of Anthony Fauci, told in moments.
Appointed director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He was 43. He'd hold the post for 38 years across seven presidents.
Helped design the PEPFAR program for AIDS relief in Africa. The program is credited with saving over 25 million lives. President George W. Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2008.
Became the public face of the U.S. COVID-19 response. He gave daily press briefings and was cited over 300,000 times in scientific literature by then, making him one of the most cited scientists alive.
More from the Modern
Explore what happened on the days that shaped Anthony Fauci's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.