Final answer:
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is considered the 'Father of Microbiology' due to his groundbreaking work in developing a microscope that allowed for the first observation of microbes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual known as the "Father of Microbiology" is Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. He is credited as being the first person to observe microbes, including bacteria, which he described as "animalcules" or "wee little beasties", using a simple but powerful microscope that he developed. This was a significant breakthrough in the scientific community, as it was the first-time microorganisms had been observed, laying the foundation for the field of microbiology.
While Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch also made substantial contributions to the field during the Golden Age of Microbiology, it was van Leeuwenhoek's pioneering work in creating microscopes powerful enough to view microbes and his resultant observations that earned him this title.