Hans Zinsser was an American physician, bacteriologist, and author of over 200 medical articles and books. He spent many years researching typhus and developing a vaccine. As an author, his best-known book was the 1935 chronicle of epidemic typhus titled Rats, Lice and History. His 1940 memoir, As I Remember Him, was one of the first National Book Award recipients. No. 1 on The New York Times Nonfiction best seller list for 2 weeks, from the issue of July 15, 1940. Wiki link