Greene Vardiman Black commonly known as G.V. Black, is known as one of the founders of modern dentistry

Dentistry

Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...

 in the United States. He was born near Winchester, Illinois

Winchester, Illinois

Winchester is a city in Scott County, Illinois, United States. It is the county seat of Scott County. The population was 1,650 at the 2000 census. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land...

 on August 3, 1836 to William and Mary Black. He spent his early life on a farm

Farm

A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...

 and quickly developed an interest in the natural world. By the age of 17, Black began studying medicine

Medicine

Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....

 with the help of his brother, Dr. Thomas G. Black. In 1857, he met Dr.