FREDERICK BANTING
FREDERICK BANTING
Born: November 14, 1891
Alliston, Ontario, Canada
Died: February 21, 1941
Newfoundland, Canada
Canadian medical researcher and scientist
The Canadian medical scientist Frederick Banting was codiscoverer of insulin, a
hormone that regulates the sugar in the blood and helps in the treatment of
diabetes (a disorder that causes the body to have difficulty maintaining a
healthy blood sugar level). Because of this discovery, Banting became the first
Canadian to be awarded the Nobel Prize.
Frederick Grant Banting was born in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, on November 14,
1891, to William Thompson Banting, a well-established farmer, and Margaret Grant
Banting, who had moved to Canada from Ireland. The youngest of five children,
Banting attended the local elementary schools before enrolling at the University
of Toronto in 1911 in an arts course leading to theology (the study of religion).He
decided, however, that he wanted to be a doctor, and in 1912 he registered as a
medical student.
With World War I (1914–18, a war in which German-led forces fought for European
control) under way, Banting left college in 1915 to join the medical corps as a
private (the lowest military rank). Doctors were urgently needed, however, and
he was sent back to finish his studies, graduating in 1916. Banting was
commissioned (made an officer) in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and left
for England, where he received exceptional surgical experience in several army
hospitals.
In 1920 Banting moved to London, Ontario, and opened a medical office. One
evening he read an article dealing with new discoveries in fighting diabetes, a
blood disorder. Banting's interest in diabetes stemmed from his school days when
a classmate had died because of the disorder. This event affected him deeply,
and now his mind eagerly looked for possibilities worthy of investigation.
Initiation of the insulin work
In 1920 Banting went to Toronto for an interview with the professor of
physiology (the study of life systems) Dr. J. J. R. Macleod (1876–1902). Banting
described his ideas and his desire to investigate the fluids released by the
pancreas, a gland located near the stomach. He begged for an opportunity to try
out his theories in the laboratory, but Macleod refused, for he knew that
Banting had no training in research. Banting returned to Toronto several times
to try to persuade Macleod. Finally, impressed by his enthusiasm and
determination, Macleod promised Banting the use of the laboratory for eight
weeks during the summer. Macleod knew that if Banting was to have any success,
someone who knew the latest chemical techniques would have to work with him.
Charles Best (1899–1978), completing courses in physiology and biochemistry (the
study of biological processes), had been working on a problem related to
diabetes in Macleod's department. Banting and Best met and decided that work
would begin on May 17, 1921, the day following Best's final examination.
Discovery of insulin
The first attempts to produce a diabetic condition upon which to study the
effect of
In 1923 Banting received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly with
Macleod. With characteristic generosity he divided his share with Best. That
year the university established the Banting and Best Department of Medical
Research with a special grant from the Ontario Legislature. In 1934 Banting was
made a knight commander of the British Empire and the following year was elected
a fellow (associate) of the Royal Society of London.
Banting was killed in a plane crash on the coast of Newfoundland on February 21,
1941, while on a war mission to England. Because of his research and
advancements, Banting has improved the lives of diabetics around the world.
FREDERICK BANTING
Born: November 14, 1891
Alliston, Ontario, Canada
Died: February 21, 1941
Newfoundland, Canada
Canadian medical researcher and scientist
The Canadian medical scientist Frederick Banting was codiscoverer of insulin, a
hormone that regulates the sugar in the blood and helps in the treatment of
diabetes (a disorder that causes the body to have difficulty maintaining a
healthy blood sugar level). Because of this discovery, Banting became the first
Canadian to be awarded the Nobel Prize.
Frederick Grant Banting was born in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, on November 14,
1891, to William Thompson Banting, a well-established farmer, and Margaret Grant
Banting, who had moved to Canada from Ireland. The youngest of five children,
Banting attended the local elementary schools before enrolling at the University
of Toronto in 1911 in an arts course leading to theology (the study of religion).He
decided, however, that he wanted to be a doctor, and in 1912 he registered as a
medical student.
With World War I (1914–18, a war in which German-led forces fought for European
control) under way, Banting left college in 1915 to join the medical corps as a
private (the lowest military rank). Doctors were urgently needed, however, and
he was sent back to finish his studies, graduating in 1916. Banting was
commissioned (made an officer) in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and left
for England, where he received exceptional surgical experience in several army
hospitals.
In 1920 Banting moved to London, Ontario, and opened a medical office. One
evening he read an article dealing with new discoveries in fighting diabetes, a
blood disorder. Banting's interest in diabetes stemmed from his school days when
a classmate had died because of the disorder. This event affected him deeply,
and now his mind eagerly looked for possibilities worthy of investigation.
Initiation of the insulin work
In 1920 Banting went to Toronto for an interview with the professor of
physiology (the study of life systems) Dr. J. J. R. Macleod (1876–1902). Banting
described his ideas and his desire to investigate the fluids released by the
pancreas, a gland located near the stomach. He begged for an opportunity to try
out his theories in the laboratory, but Macleod refused, for he knew that
Banting had no training in research. Banting returned to Toronto several times
to try to persuade Macleod. Finally, impressed by his enthusiasm and
determination, Macleod promised Banting the use of the laboratory for eight
weeks during the summer. Macleod knew that if Banting was to have any success,
someone who knew the latest chemical techniques would have to work with him.
Charles Best (1899–1978), completing courses in physiology and biochemistry (the
study of biological processes), had been working on a problem related to
diabetes in Macleod's department. Banting and Best met and decided that work
would begin on May 17, 1921, the day following Best's final examination.
Discovery of insulin
The first attempts to produce a diabetic condition upon which to study the
effect of
In 1923 Banting received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly with
Macleod. With characteristic generosity he divided his share with Best. That
year the university established the Banting and Best Department of Medical
Research with a special grant from the Ontario Legislature. In 1934 Banting was
made a knight commander of the British Empire and the following year was elected
a fellow (associate) of the Royal Society of London.
Banting was killed in a plane crash on the coast of Newfoundland on February 21,
1941, while on a war mission to England. Because of his research and
advancements, Banting has improved the lives of diabetics around the world.