Robert

began describing cells in the 17th century.

Robert Hooke is credited with beginning the study and description of cells in the 17th century. In his famous work called "Micrographia" published in 1665, Hooke observed and illustrated cells in cork and coined the term "cell" to describe the small chambers he observed. Although his initial observations were of cork cells, his work laid the foundation for future scientists to discover and understand the importance of cells in all living organisms.