Gregor Mendel is known as the father of genetics for his pioneering work in the study of heredity through pea plant experiments. Born in 1822, Mendel's meticulous observations led to the formulation of the fundamental laws of inheritance, including the concepts of dominant and recessive traits. His discoveries laid the groundwork for the modern understanding of genetics, remaining pivotal in the fields of biology and agriculture. Mendel's work was largely unrecognized during his lifetime but later gained importance in the development of genetics as a science.