Insulin 100 News

Club members Alison Li and Christopher Rutty served as keynote speakers at the day-long celebrations marking the unveiling of a new monument in honour of Dr. James Bertram Collip in his hometown of Belleville, Ontario. Collip played a pivotal role in the discovery of insulin in 1921-22, along with co-discoverers Frederick Banting, Charles Best, and J.J.R. Macleod.

Dignitaries including Mayor Mitch Panciuk and other city, provincial, and federal officials, along with descendants of Collip who journeyed from San Antonio, Texas. The “Dr James Bertram Collip Memorial Committee” Rowland Tipper, Richard Hughes, and Ian Sullivan are to be congratulated for their efforts in bringing this effort to fruition.

For news coverage of the event, please see:

Quinte News: “Dr. Collip monument and gardens unveiled”

InQuinte.ca: “City unveils new monument in honour of Dr. James Bertram Collip”

The Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation invites you to join them at the birthplace of Sir Frederick Banting to help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Discovery of Insulin. “Walk in the Footsteps of Banting” is a Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation celebration event in collaboration with the Banting Research Foundation, Charles H. Best Foundation and Royal Canadian Institute for Science

Friday or Saturday or Sunday, August 20 – 22, 2021
Two ‘repeat’ sessions each day: 10:30 am and 1:30 pm

See new narrated videos; new exhibits in the historic Farmhouse; and new legacy garden permanent monument, a Salute to the Discovery Team

Enjoy the free refreshments and collect your special Discovery of Insulin commemorative memorabilia.

Space is limited.
REGISTER online now at bantinglegacy.ca/discovery-celebration/

Christopher Rutty has posted a new article on “The History of the History of the Discovery of Insulin” at the Defining Moments Canada website. Chris is the lead historian for their Insulin 100 project. Please visit to explore the rich resources, including a timeline, photos and videos, and many excellent articles.

On May 19, 2021, Alison Li spoke at a symposium (via Zoom) to be held by the McGill University Division of Endocrinology to commemorate the discovery of insulin. She focussed on the role of J.B. Collip in the coming of insulin and his contribution to the flourishing of endocrine research at McGill during the 1930s and 40s.

On June 16, 2021, she participated in 100 Years of Insulin, a half-day seminar held by the Alberta Diabetes Institute to celebrate the anniversary. The talk highlighted the connection of Collip’s experiences at the University of Alberta to his contributions to the insulin research. This half-day seminar included talks by several speakers including Ray Rajotte and James Shapiro of the team that developed the “Edmonton Protocol” for islet transplantation.

Her article “Success Has Many Parents: J. B. Collip’s Role in the Discovery of Insulin” appears on the Defining Moments Canada website.

The discovery of insulin a century ago saved the lives of millions of diabetics

Club member, historian Christoper Rutty was interviewed in this recent article in Canada’s History by John Lorinc. The story captures the drama, conflict, and competition in the discovery of insulin.

Canada Post has unveiled a commemorative stamp celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the discovery of insulin by Frederick Banting, Charles Best, James Collip and John Macleod at the University of Toronto. The ground-breaking discovery of insulin put Canada, Canadian researchers, and the University of Toronto’s medical school on the world stage. The stamp goes on sale April 15, available at select post offices and online at canadapost.ca