Life and Times of Sir Frederick Banting: Recent Episodes
Bob Banting
The goal of this podcast is to capture the work of a Banting family historian. Bob Banting has dedicated a large part of his retirement activities to gather data, conduct interviews and collect family memories related to Sir Frederick Banting. He will be sharing his wealth of knowledge throughout these episodes. This podcast will focus on sharing the lesser know details and stories on the life and times of Sir Frederick Banting.
In this episode, we interview Kristen den Hartog. Kristen is the author of many books, including The Roosting Box published in 2024 (Goose Lane). The Roosting Box details the early years of the Christie Street Hospital in Toronto, Ontario - with each chapter named after a part of the boday. Not suprisingly, we also hear about little known stories of Dr. Frederick Banting's research involvement at the Christie Street Hospital. This book was a finalist for the 2024 Toronto Book awards.
If of interest, here is a link to Kristen's book. For a link to see all of her books, please visit here.
In this episode we speak with Craig Baird. Craig is host of The Canadian History Ehx podcast and has strong following on social media. With a passion for storytelling, Craig Baird covers a wide range of topics from significant historical events to lesser-known tales, making history accessible and engaging for listeners. His podcast is celebrated for its thorough research and captivating narratives, bringing Canada's past to life.
We ask Craig about his perspective on Sir Frederick Banting and the other co-discoverers of insulin with respect to its place in Canadian history. We also cover his unique, creative approach to share Canadian history with his social media followers. Be sure to listen to hear about the muppets and Craig's hypothetical Mount Rushmore for Canada.
Be sure to checkout Craig's podcast, here. And, follow Craig on X (formerly Twitter), here.
For more on Sir Frederick Banting, visit the Sir Frederick Banting Legacy foundation website here.
In this episode, we speak with Ms. Joanna Jackson about her journey living with Type 1 diabetes. Joanna shares the story of her diaversary, her time at Camp Huronda, thoughts about a cure, together with several other topics including details on a couple of fundraising initiatives related to diabetes.
Here is a link to the 'washroom renvoation' mentioned during this episode.
Other links, based on mentions, below:
- Camp Huronda (Ontario, Canada) - link
- Diabetes Canada - Pump Couture Event - link
In this episode, we chat with Ms. Mandy Webster. Mandy is a videographer and a volunteer Board member with the Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation. Mandy walks us through her journey of becoming a type 1 diabetic. Be sure to hear Mandy's thoughts on 'What not to do' when type 1 diabetes is suspected. We also learn about the probability of diabetes occuring amongst siblings.
Be sure to check out the Sir Frederick Banting Legacy foundation website here.
In this episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing a group of student authors (Abby, Ben, Ethan, Gillon, Wyatt, and Zack). While attending Dundas Central Public School a few years ago, these students wrote a book on the discovery of insulin called 'This is Frederick Banting, Charles Best and the Discovery of Insulin!" as part of a class taught by Mr. Robert Bell (Teacher, Dundas Central PS & 2019 Recipient of the Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Teaching).
The panel also included Dr. Sandeep Raha (Associate Professor, Pediatrics at McMaster University) who serves as the Director of McMaster's Children and Youth University. Dr. Raha and team supported this project in Mr. Bell's class.
The book discussed on this podcast is available for purchase on Amazon (here).
Congratulations on this special project!
Special thanks go out to the following individuals in connection with this project in Mr. Bell's class:
Laura Bartkiw (Principal, Dundas Central PS), Shelley McGuire (School Secretary, Dundas Central PS), Grant Maltman (Curator, Banting House Museum), Anna Patterson (Education Coordinator, Dundas Museum & Archives), and Stan Nowak (Local Historian).
Listen to Part 2 of our interview with Melinda Best - granddaughter of Charles Best. Much like Part 1, we learned many new interesting things about Dr. Best.
In this episode, we had the opportunity to chat with Melinda Best - granddaughter of Charles Best - a recent visit to Canada to celebrate the place on the Canada Walk of Fame for Drs. Banting, Best, Collip, and McLeod.
We learned many new and lesser know facts and stories about Dr. Best's life.
In this episode, we continue to hear about Fred Banting's trips with AY Jackson.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Museum on the Boyne - Visit this museum to see the kayak gifted to Dr. Banting.
- Banting Sketches - Visit this digital library to explore his artwork and sketches.
Little known stories about how Banting and Jackson worked closely together on enhancing artistic skills. The podcast also tells little know stories about Banting's support and concerns about Canada's indigenous people in the 1927 era. More information about Banting's sketches can be found at The Banting Digital Library at: https://ntpl.ca/local-history/banting-digital/ A careful review of all the sketches on the above like will find Banting's sketch of A Y Jackson. Another little know gem. Detail on Banting's diary's for these trips and more information can obtained by messaging: rdb@banting.ca
In this episode, we learn about the notable people in Sir Frederick Banting's life.
Who was Sadie Gairns? Who was the first person in industry to meet with Dr. Banting? Who were his co-discovers? Who was Clark Noble?
The answer to these questions and more in this episode!
Interesting links:
Discovery of Insulin website (link)
Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation (link)
In this episode, hear about some of the places of historic important to Dr. Frederick Banting in and around Toronto, Ontario. In particular, you'll hear about the following:
- 46 Bedford Road
- Guild Inn Estate
- Taddle Creek (link)
- U of T Medical Building - Old (link)
- Arts and Letters Club (link)
- Fisher Rare Book Library (link)
- Donnelly Centre (link)
- Toronto General Hospital - Eaton Wing (link)
- Christie Street Hospital
- Ontario Science Centre (link)
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In this episode, learn more about the Banting's as a scrappy bunch! And, learn more about the Banting family tree.
For inquiries about the Banting Family Tree please send an email to this address rdb@banting.ca.
Here is the link mentioned this episode related to Ballyfin - www.ballyfin.com.
And, here is a link to an image of the Harvest of Albion painting mentioned in this episode (link).
Few will be aware the Fred Banting's curiosity that, in part, lead to the Discovery of Insulin also was the beginning of his lifelong interest in Canada's Indigenous people. While growing up he and his family found mysterious hand- made stone tools on their farmland. Fred explored and dug for these items. He treasured these Indigenous findings by including them in his artwork and his fireplace.
In this episode, the years around 1921 are explored in further detail - including Banting's pathway to starting a research project related to diabetes. Details of Dr. Banting's life on a farm in Alliston are revealed, together with some important history of the small farming town. Dr. Banting's appreciate for Canadian's indigenous people is also explored in this episode.
In this episode, we feature a panel of experts exploring three questions:
- Why is the discovery of insulin still relevant today, 100 years later?
- What is the continued impact of the discovery?
- What is it about the story that continues to resonate today?
Our panelists include Dr. Christopher Rutty (Historian), Dr. Alison Li (Historian), Grant Maltman (Banting House Museum Curator), Bob Banting (Expert on Banting history), and colleagues from the Defining Moments Canada team.
This episode is dedicated to the late Dr. Michael Bliss.
Journalist, author, and podcast host Krista Lamb joins this episode to talk about her recently published book entitled Beyond Banting: From Insulin to Islet Transplants, Decoding Canada’s Diabetes Superstars. This important book describes the research in Canada, related to diabetes, since the discovery of insulin in 1921.
Follow Krista Lamb on Twitter - @KristaLambComms
In the third of a three-part episode, we learn about the Banting Family genealogy from Ms. Brenda Ayers (a member of the Banting family).
In the second of a three-part episode, we learn about the Banting Family genealogy from Ms. Brenda Ayers (a member of the Banting family).
In the first of a three-part episode, we learn about the Banting Family genealogy from Ms. Brenda Ayers (a member of the Banting family).
In this special episode, we were honoured to interview Canadian actor R.H. Thomson about his portrayal of Sir Frederick Banting in the 1988 mini-series Glory Enough For All.
Rounding out the first overview of his life on this podcast series, listen to the lesser-known stories of the final services held in memory of Fred Banting.
Links:
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
In Part 3 of 3, hear the concluding episode about the lesser-known details of the fateful flight that resulted in the loss of Fred Banting.
Links:
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
In Part 2 of 3, continue to hear about the lesser-known details of the fateful flight that resulted in the loss of Fred Banting.
Links:
-
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
In Part 1 of 3, hear about the lesser-known details of the fateful flight that resulted in the loss of Fred Banting.
Links:
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
The years following the discovery of insulin were quite busy for Fred Banting on the research front. In Part 2, continue to hear of some of the lesser-known aspects of his support for research in the area of Aviation Medicine.
Links:
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
The years following the discovery of insulin were quite busy for Fred Banting on the research front. Listen to some of the lesser known aspects of his support for research in the area of Aviation Medicine.
Links:
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
In this episode, hear more stories about Fred Banting's life - including an interaction our Banting family expert had with his wife, the late Lady Henrietta Banting, many years ago.
Other Links mentioned:
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
Listen to some of the lesser-known details of the trips taken by Fred Banting, together with learning more about his passion for painting (part 2).
Listen to some of the lesser-known details of the trips taken by Fred Banting, together with learning more about his passion for painting.
Other Links mentioned:
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
The period following the discovery of insulin has quite busy for Fred Banting. Listen to stories of the awards - including a knighthood - received by Fred Banting. In the face of significant attention and accolades, he continues to shun the spotlight and was interested in pressing on with other research (together with painting).
Other Links mentioned:
- New Tecumseth Public Library - Banting Digital Library - link
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
With the notoriety associated with the discovery of insulin slowing down, we turn to talk about a couple of people in Sir Frederick Banting's life. His first wife Marion Wilson and his only son Bill Banting.
Other Links mentioned:
- New Tecumseth Public Library - Banting Digital Library - link
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
Listen to some of the lesser-known details of the awards, honours and Nobel Prize award involving Fred Banting.
Other Links mentioned:
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
Moving through the period of time immediately following the discovery of insulin. The discovery team - and many others - work diligently to make insulin available to as many people as possible.
Other Links mentioned:
- New Tecumseth Public Library - Banting Digital Library - link
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
Season 1 continues exploring the period of time around the actual discovery of insulin. This episode provides a narrative of a patient with end-stage diabetes being treated with insulin.
Hear an account passed down from the Banting family about 'The Surreptitious Test', and who might have been clinical patient zero to have firs seen the observable activity of insulin.
Other Links mentioned:
- New Tecumseth Public Library - Banting Digital Library - link
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
Following the eureka moment in the summer of 1921, making insulin available to the world was still a long road ahead. Hear about the lesser-known stories of the process involved in taking the initial discovery and preparing insulin for use in human beings.
Other Links mentioned:
- New Tecumseth Public Library - Banting Digital Library - link
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
Listen to stories about the discovery of insulin. In particular, hear about the laboratory experiments conducted by Banting and Banting at the University of Toronto in the summer of 1921.
Other Links mentioned:
- New Tecumseth Public Library - Banting Digital Library - link
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
This episode covers Sir Frederick Banting's life during his in London, Ontario.
Other Links mentioned:
- New Tecumseth Public Library - Banting Digital Library - link
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
- Banting House - London, Ontario - link
This episode covers a few stories about Sir Frederick Banting's life during his time at College and serving in World War 1 (part 2 of 2).
Other Links mentioned:
- New Tecumseth Public Library - Banting Digital Library - link
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
This episode covers a few stories about Sir Frederick Banting's life during his time at College and serving in World War 1 (part 1 of 2).
Other Links mentioned:
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link
This episode covers a few stories about Sir Frederick Banting's life growing up on a farm in Alliston, Ontario.
Other Links mentioned:
- Discovery of Insulin - link
- Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation - link