BELLEVILLE, ON, June 19, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust and the Dr. James B. Collip Recognition Committee unveiled a provincial plaque to commemorate Dr. James Bertram Collip.
The unveiling took place at Belleville Public Library and John M. Parrott Art Gallery in Belleville.
The plaque reads as follows:
JAMES BERTRAM COLLIP 1892-1965
A co-discoverer of insulin, J.B. (Bert) Collip was one of Canada's most prolific medical researchers in the first half of the 20th century. Born and raised in Belleville, Collip received a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Toronto in 1916. There, on leave from the University of Alberta in 1921, Professor J.J.R. Macleod invited him to work with Frederick Banting and Charles Best on a substance they hoped could treat diabetes. In 1922, Collip produced the first insulin suitable for use on human beings, an essential contribution to a treatment that has since saved millions of lives. In 1923, Collip received from Macleod a share of the Nobel Prize money awarded to Banting and Macleod for the discovery of insulin. In Alberta and then at McGill University, Collip became internationally known for his leadership in endocrinology. From 1941 to 1945, he headed Canada's wartime medical research. He finished his career as Dean of Medicine at the University of Western Ontario (1947-61), and died in London, Ontario in 1965.
QUOTES
"At just 29 years of age James B. Collip produced the first pure insulin suitable for human use. Working with others, his contribution was crucial to the development of a treatment that has saved millions of lives. After his thrilling discovery he went on to a spectacular career of medical discovery, research and teaching. Collip should be better known for his contributions, especially in his home province of Ontario. The Trust is proud to commemorate the life and work of this incredible scientific pioneer."
— Thomas H.B. Symons, Chairman, Ontario Heritage Trust
"The Dr. James B. Collip Recognition Committee is deeply grateful for the Ontario Heritage Trust accepting our proposal to erect this memorial plaque to Dr. Collip. He was clearly one of Canada's greatest medical researchers of the 20th century and a key member of the team that developed insulin for the treatment of diabetes. His work has saved the lives of millions of people around the world. Dr. Collip has long been Belleville's "unsung hero of medical science" and now, through this memorial plaque, he will receive the long-delayed recognition in his hometown. Furthermore, his achievements will be a source of civic pride and will inspire and encourage our young people."
— Richard Hamilton, Dr. James B. Collip Recognition Committee
QUICK FACTS
- The plaque will be permanently installed in front of the Belleville Public Library, at the corner of Pinnacle Street and Campbell Street in Belleville.
- The Ontario Heritage Trust's Provincial Plaque Program commemorates provincially significant people, places and events in Ontario's history.
- Since 1956, over 1,250 provincial plaques have been unveiled.
LEARN MORE
Find out more about the Ontario Heritage Trust and explore the Provincial Plaque Program.
CONTACTS
The Ontario Heritage Trust is an agency of the Government of Ontario dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage.
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SOURCE: Ontario Heritage Trust
For more information about the Provincial Plaque Program, contact Niya Bajaj at 416-325-5074 or [email protected].
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