Heritage Day 2000 Main Page

Sir Frederick Grant Banting
by
 Virgil Ibero
 Grade 7

Sir Frederick Banting (Grant)

Sir Frederick Banting was born November 14, 1891 in Alliston, Ontario.
Frederick was the youngest of six children in a middle class family. His father was a farmer.

University and Medical Practice
bulletBanting began his studies at University of Toronto.
bulletHe failed his first year in Arts at University of Toronto.
bulletHe enrolled in Medicine, received his M.D. in 1916 and graduated with above average grades.
bulletIn 1919-1920, Banting completed his training as an orthopedic surgeon.
bulletIn 1921, he practiced medicine in London, Ontario.
bulletHe was the head of a new Department of Medical Research at the University of Toronto.
World War I and Valour
bulletFrederick Banting joined the army in the World War 1. He served as a Medical Officer in France.
bulletHe was wounded in action and decorated for valour. Banting was awarded by the Canadian Military Cross for bravery.
Insulin Discovered
bulletInsulin was discovered by a team of researchers that included Macleod, Banting, J. B. Collip, and Charles Best. They began their research into the hormone of insulin. Insulin was immediately effective as a life saving therapy for Diabetes Mellitus.
bulletHe was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine/Psychology in 1923. They were the first Canadians to receive this honour. Banting threatend to refuse the award. He shared his portion of the prize with Charles Best.
bulletFrederick Banting was knighted in 1934 and became Sir Frederick Banting.

On February 21, 1941, at the age of 50, Sir Frederick Banting was killed in a plane crash, near Musgrave Habour, Newfoundland.