Guillaume-Benjamin-Amand Duchenne is best known for his research in disorders related to the nerves and muscles. In 1868, he provided the most comprehensive description to date of what is now known as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He is also credited with identifying tabes dorsalis (a neurological form of syphilis), adult spinal muscular atrophy (Aran-Duchenne type), and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. In addition, Duchenne is considered the inventor of electrotherapy (the stimulation of nerves and muscles with electric current) and of the biopsy (the technique used to remove samples of living body tissues for examination).

Born to a family of seafarers in the French coastal village of Boulogne-sur-Mer, Duchenne was pressured to follow the family tradition and become a seafarer himself. Instead, he studied medicine in Paris. Graduating in 1831 after a rather mediocre academic performance, Duchenne returned home and practiced medicine on the local fishermen, sailors, and their families.

After his return...