John Snow was undoubtedly the most important pioneer of medical science in history but has been widely misrepresented, particularly by envious contemporary rivals. Unable to completely destroy his reputation, his rivals took advantage of his early death to claim credit for his most important discovery and trivialise his role in it as 'guesswork'. The true facts of his life have only recently been unearthed by extensive research by a team of six specialist historians. It is now clear that Snow was responsible for initiating important improvements in saving the lives of babies who would otherwise have died at birth, while he was still a medical student; initiatives that are still in use today. He is also recognised as the founder of anaesthesia as a safe procedure, without which modern surgery would never have progressed as it has. In addition, he was the greatest contributor to public health in history. Remarkably, for a man who achieved so much in an exclusive profession, he was born himself in abject poverty. The story of his remarkable life and astonishing achievements is a heart-warming saga of human endurance, dedication and, ultimately, self sacrifice.