Phineas Gage

Phineas Gage (1823-1860) was an American railroad worker who became famous in scientific fields due to an accident which blew a metal rod through his head destroying most of his left frontal lobe. Gage miraculously survived and lived for 12 more years. Gage was important to the psychological community because through his misfortune the effects of brain damage could be studied. Gage's personality reportedly changed entirely after his accident. Sources say he became aggressive, rude, profane, and antisocial. His accident contributed understanding to how different brain regions work, the effects of brain damage on a person, and the frontal lobe's role in personality.