Who is credited as the founder of modern chiropractic?

The founder of modern chiropractic is Dr. D. D. Palmer. He established the principles and practices that underlie chiropractic care in the late 19th century. In 1895, D. D. Palmer performed the first chiropractic adjustment, which he believed could restore health by correcting spinal misalignments, known as subluxations. His work laid the foundation for the chiropractic profession, leading to the development of chiropractic schools and the establishment of standards for practitioners.

Dr. B. J. Palmer, the son of D. D. Palmer, is often credited with further developing the chiropractic profession and expanding its reach, but it was D. D. Palmer who initiated the practice itself. The other individuals mentioned in the question, such as Dr. William Gunn and Dr. John Mennell, made contributions to the field of manual therapy and medicine, but they are not recognized as the founders of chiropractic. Thus, D. D. Palmer's role as the originator of the chiropractic philosophy and practice is pivotal in understanding the history of this profession.