Endocrinology • 20th Century
Category: Famous Doctors & Medical Pioneers
Start: 1899-02-27 · End: 1978-03-31
Location: Washington County, United States
Charles Herbert Best, an eminent Canadian medical scientist, biochemist, and physiologist, stands as a towering figure in the annals of 20th-century medicine, primarily renowned for his pivotal role in the discovery of insulin. Born in West Pembroke, Maine, on February 27, 1899, to Canadian parents, Best’s life trajectory was deeply intertwined with the quest to understand and combat diabetes, a debilitating and often fatal disease that afflicted millions. His journey from a young medical student to a world-renowned researcher embodies the spirit of scientific inquiry, collaboration, and perseverance that characterized much of the medical progress of his era. Best’s early life was marked by intellectual curiosity and a strong work ethic, traits perhaps inherited from his parents, Herbert Huestis Best and Lulu Macfie Best, who were originally from Nova Scotia. His formative years were spent in a household that valued education and scientific pursuits. He pursued his higher education at the University of Toronto, initially enrolling in physiology and biochemistry. This choice of study proved prescient, aligning him perfectly with the nascent field of endocrinology and metabolic rese…
We learned that insulin was the missing factor.