One hundred years ago, Edoardo Bassini, a professor of surgery in northern Italy, pioneered the modern approach to inguinal repair. Today, the most common operation performed for hernia is one of the many modifications of the procedure he introduced. Since he reported his series from 1887 to 1894 in the Italian and German literature, and other surgeons soon claimed priority, most surgeons today are unfamiliar with the details and importance of Bassini's contribution. Therefore, his illustrious career is outlined and his papers regarding herniorrhaphy, along with previous biographies, are discussed. Pernicious and benign modifications of his operation are described, and the present status of his procedure is discussed in light of its revival as the Shouldice operation and amid the continuing criticism of its many modifications.