Penicillins are a group of antibiotics which are derivatives of a specific fungus. Penicillin was the first agent which worked with serious conditions including staph and syphilis.
 
 
Recommended Resources
The Amoxicillin 500mg web site describes the most prescribed antibiotic today; complete with dosage and side effects information.
http://www.amoxicillin500mg.com/
Web page gives an overview of gthe modes of action of Amoxicillin and other beta lactam antimiocrobics, the main classes, and a brief history of the discovery of penicillin.
http://suite101.com/article/moa-of-penicillin-antibiotics-a51390
About.com section devoted to a discussion of Sir Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin, how he came to discover it, and who the other people were who contributed to penicillin's maturity.
http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/a/Penicillin.htm
Personal web page recounts the history of penicillin, who discovered it, how, and what it treats.
http://aac.asm.org/content/49/4/1447.abstract