Sir Frederick Grant Banting (1891–1941) was a Canadian medical scientist, physician, and Nobel laureate best known for co-discovering insulin, a breakthrough that transformed the treatment of diabetes. His pioneering work laid the foundation for modern diabetes management and has saved millions of lives worldwide.
Born in Essa, Ontario, Canada, Banting was raised in a rural setting and showed an early interest in medicine. He attended the University of Toronto, where he completed his medical degree in 1916. After serving as a medical officer during World War I, gaining invaluable experience in treating wounds and illnesses, he returned to Canada and began practicing medicine. His passion for research led him to study the physiology of the pancreas and its role in diabetes.
Banting’s most significant achievement came in 1921 when he, along with Charles Best, a young medical student, discovered insulin at the University of Toronto. Their groundbreaking work demonstrated that insulin could regulate blood glucose levels in diabetic patients, revolutionizing treatment and greatly improving life expectancy. For this discovery, Banting and John Macleod were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1923. In recognition of the collaborative nature of the research, Banting shared his prize with Best.
His publications include Extracts of the Pancreas on Diabetes Mellitus (1922,) which detailed their insulin research.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Frederick Banting
No one had ever had an idea in a dress suit.
—Frederick Banting
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Leave a Reply