i first learned about Semmelweiss in the microbe hunters--which was a best seller in the mid 1950, and still well known in the early 1960's when i found it.
lister made the book too.. i think.. i was about 15 at the time i read it, and it had enough science to be interesting, and it was a series of short biographies..

i forget the author (shame on me) but the book was favorite for a very long time.