The father of microscopy is Anton van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch tradesman and scientist who is best known for his pioneering work in the field of microscopy and his discoveries of microorganisms. He was the first to observe and describe bacteria, protozoa, spermatozoa, and other microscopic organisms. Leeuwenhoek made his own microscopes by grinding and polishing tiny glass spheres, which he used to achieve magnifications of up to 270 times. He made detailed drawings and descriptions of his observations, which he published in a series of letters to the Royal Society of London. His work laid the foundation for the field of microbiology and had a profound impact on our understanding of the natural world.