Is it true that Martinus Beijerinck discovered viruses in the late 19th century?

Martinus Beijerinck, a Dutch scientist, discovered viruses in 1898 while studying the tobacco mosaic disease caused by a filterable agent. He observed that the agent could pass through a filter that retained bacteria, suggesting that it was smaller than bacteria and could not be seen under a microscope. Beijerinck's work laid the foundation for the field of virology and he is often referred to as the father of virology. Therefore, the statement "Martinus Beijerinck discovered viruses in the late 19th century" is true.