William T. G. Morton (anesthesiologist)

William T. G. Morton was a 19th-century American dentist and one of the pioneers of anesthesia in surgery. He is best known for being the first to successfully use ether as an anesthetic during an operation in 1846. This breakthrough allowed patients to undergo surgery without the pain that had previously made it excruciating. Morton's contributions significantly advanced medical practices, transforming surgery into a more humane and manageable process. His work laid the foundation for modern anesthesiology, making complex surgeries safer and more effective for patients.