Profile of the Day: Frederick Banting

Frederick Banting

Today we celebrate the 125th birthday of Canadian scientist Frederick Banting, whose research led to the discovery of insulin to treat diabetics.

Banting was born on November 14, 1891 in Alliston, Ontario. He was the youngest of five children born to William Thompson Banting and Margaret Grant. During World War I, he served in the Canadian Army Medical Corps. In 1918, he was wounded during the Battle of Cambrai, but despite his injuries, Banting continued to help wounded soldiers for sixteen hours. He was awarded the Military Cross for his heroism on the battlefield.

After the war, Banting became deeply interested in diabetes. Before the discovery of insulin, there was no treatment for the millions of people who were struggling with the disease. Banting spent his time researching methods to extract insulin from the pancreas. Once Banting successfully discovered a way to isolate insulin, he was able to develop a method to effectively treat diabetic patients. In 1923, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his amazing discovery. At 32, Banting became the youngest Nobel Prize winner in Medicine. In 1934, he was knighted by King George V.

How are you related to Frederick Banting? Explore his family tree and discover you’re connection to the Canadian scientist.
 

View Frederick Banting’s Geni Profile

Image: Library and Archives of Canada, Wikimedia Commons