the founding father of something

founding father (of something)

A man who was instrumental in the creation or pioneering of something. Many consider Alexander Fleming to be the founding father of modern antibiotics. The day is a celebration of the founding fathers of the small country. Wait, you've never heard of Marc Bolan? But he's a founding father of glam rock!

See also: father, found

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

the ˌfounding ˈfather(s) of something

(formal) the people who found or start a country, an organization, a branch of science, etc: Charles Babbage, the founding father of computer science

See also: father, found, of, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017