The American physicians William J. Mayo (1861-1939) and Charles H. Mayo (1865-1939) were brothers who led the development of the Mayo Clinic into a world-renowned center of medical treatment and research. Outstanding surgeons in their own right, the Mayos encouraged an atmosphere of cooperation and information sharing both within their institution and with other medical practitioners throughout the world. Their facility has drawn top physicians to practice and research there and also serves as a training center in medical specialties.

William J. Mayo and Charles H. Mayo were the leading figures in the founding and development of the Mayo Clinic, a world-class medical treatment, research, and training facility in Rochester, Minnesota. Beginning as St. Mary's Hospital in 1889, an institution run under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Sisters of St. Francis of Rochester, the facility became known for the surgical expertise of the Mayo brothers and their staff...