Co-Discoverer of Insulin

The Legacy of Sir Frederick Banting

Banting's Life

Frederick Grant Banting was born on November 14, 1891, on his family’s farm located near Alliston, Ontario. His parents are William and Margaret Banting. He was the youngest of 5 children, he had 3 brothers and 1 sister, who all became farmers.

He attended elementary and high school in Alliston. His hobbies included running and collecting arrowheads that were found locally.

Banting was married twice. He was married to Marion Robertson from 1924 – 1932. They had one child, William Banting who was born in 1929. He died in 1998 and had no children. 

He married Henrietta Ball in 1937 who worked in his department at the University of Toronto. 

Born on November 14, 1891, Frederick Banting was the youngest of 5 children.

The Birthplace of Banting
Sir Frederick Banting Black and White

WWI + WWII

War Hero

Banting wanted to fight in WWI and because he wore glasses, he was not allowed to fight. He originally studied to become a minister. More doctors were needed to help in the war, and a 4-year fast track program was created by the U of T. Banting decided that he would become a Medical Doctor to help with war efforts.

Banting was wounded in the Battle of Cambria in 1918. Despite his injuries he helped other wounded men for 16 hours. He was awarded the military cross in 1919 for heroism.  

Banting also fought in WWII. He was on his way to England to help with war efforts. Banting died on February 21, 1941 when his plane crashed near Musgrove Harbour Newfoundland. 

Creative pursuits

Banting The Artist

Banting was a painter, a wood carver and a sketcher. He painted with the Group of Seven, primarily with A.Y. Jackson and Lawren Harris. He traveled to the North, West and East parts of Canada with them.

Our Art Room has some of his sketches and 2 original paintings are on loan to us from the Summerville family. We also have several reproductions of his work, including the painting of his lab.

See In Person
Discovery Lab by Sir Frederick Banting
This painting, the Discovery Lab (1937), at the University of Toronto is the only known ‘interior’ scene created by Banting.

Making History

The Nobel Prize

In 1923 Banting and MacLeod won the Nobel Prize. Banting shared his prize with Best and MacLeod shared his prize with Collip. 

Banting was the first Canadian to receive a Nobel Prize. Today he is still the youngest recipient of an award for Physiology / Medicine to date.  

Banting, Best and Collip were all under the age of 32 when the discovery was made.

1500

Year awarded the Nobel Prize

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Canadian to win a Nobel Prize

0

Age at time of discovery

King George V knighted Frederick Banting in 1934. He received the title of Sir Frederick Banting.