Camillo Golgi (1844-1926)
Italian neurologist and histologist

In 1873 Golgi developed a revolutionary staining technique, still in use and named after him (Golgi staining or Golgi impregnation), which permitted for the first time a clear visualization of a nerve cell body with all its processes. Ironically, he believed that his observations using this technique supported the idea that neural tissue consisted of fibers forming an intricate, non-cellular network. Using Golgi's technique, Cajal became the main supporter of the 'neuron theory' which correctly interpreted the nervous system as composed of anatomically and functionally distinct cells. Nonetheless, In 1906 Golgi deservedly shared the Nobel Prize with Cajal  for their studies on the structure of the nervous system.

Although he misinterpreted the overall view of the microscopic organization of the nervous system, he contributed greatly to the modern knowledge of its structure. Among other findings, Golgi described the morphological features of glial cells and of the relationships between glial cell processes and blood vessels. He also described two fundamental types of nerve cells, still named after him as 'Golgi type I' neurons, extending their axons at a distance from the cell body (the 'projection neurons' of the modern nomenclature), and 'Golgi type II' neurons, with axons ramifying in the vicinity of the cell body (corresponding to the 'local circuit neurons' and 'interneurons').

Among his other discoveries, in 1878 Golgi described the tendinous sensory corpuscles that bear his name (Golgi tendon organs). In the years 1886-1892, Golgi provided fundamental contributions to the study of malaria: he elucidated the cycle of the malaria agent, the Plasmodium, in red blood cells, and the temporal correlation between the release of the parasite in the blood and recurrent chills and fever.

In 1897, studying the nervous system with his stain, Golgi noticed in neurons an intracellular structure, whose existence he officially reported in April 1898. This structure was designated by Golgi the "internal reticular apparatus" and was soon named after him as the "Golgi apparatus (or later as the Golgi complex). Today it is frequently referred to simply as "the Golgi").

Adapted from www.nobel.se/medicine/articles/golgi/