British physiologist who developed in vitro fertilisation (IVF) together with surgeon Patrick Steptoe. After a decade of research overcoming immunological and hormonal barriers, Edwards and Steptoe achieved the first human IVF birth — Louise Brown — on 25 July 1978 in Oldham, UK. IVF has since enabled the birth of over 10 million children worldwide to couples who would otherwise have been unable to conceive. Edwards was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2010 (Steptoe had died in 1988).
- Nationality: british
- Roles: physiologist, physician
