The renowned scientist who championed the establishment of laws governing heritability is Gregor Mendel. Often referred to as the "father of genetics," Mendel conducted pioneering experiments on pea plants in the mid-19th century. His meticulous work led to the formulation of the basic principles of inheritance, showcasing how traits are passed down through generations. Despite his groundbreaking findings, Mendel's work initially went unrecognized until the early 20th century, when scientists like Hugo de Vries and Carl Correns rediscovered his research, establishing his critical role in the field of genetics.