Charles Best
Charles Best: A Life of Compassion and Innovation
Full Name and Common Aliases
Charles Herbert Best was a Canadian physician and medical researcher who is best known for his role in the discovery of insulin.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on February 26, 1894, in West Pembroke, Ontario, Canada. Passed away on March 31, 1978, at the age of 84.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Canadian by birth and nationality, Best was a medical doctor and researcher who spent his career studying diabetes and insulin production.
Early Life and Background
Charles Best was born to a family of modest means. His father, a farmer, struggled with financial difficulties, which instilled in Charles the importance of hard work and self-reliance from an early age. Best's interest in medicine began during his teenage years when he observed the struggles of local farmers' wives who suffered from diabetes. He was particularly drawn to the disease because it seemed so resistant to treatment.
Major Accomplishments
In 1921, while still a medical student at the University of Toronto, Best joined Frederick Banting's research team in search of an insulin cure for diabetes. Together with Banting and James Macleod, they successfully isolated insulin from canine pancreas extracts, marking a groundbreaking moment in medical history.
Notable Works or Actions
Best continued to work tirelessly on the development of insulin, making significant contributions to the field. He also played a crucial role in establishing the first insulin production facilities at the University of Toronto's Connaught Laboratories. His dedication and perseverance led to the widespread availability of insulin for patients worldwide.
Impact and Legacy
The discovery of insulin by Banting and Best revolutionized the treatment of diabetes, saving countless lives and transforming the lives of millions more. Their work paved the way for a deeper understanding of the disease and its management, improving the quality of life for people living with diabetes. Today, insulin remains a cornerstone in diabetes care, and Charles Best's contributions are recognized as a turning point in medical history.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Charles Best is widely quoted and remembered for his unwavering commitment to scientific inquiry and his compassion for those affected by the disease. His discovery of insulin not only improved the lives of millions but also inspired generations of researchers and scientists. As a testament to his enduring legacy, Charles Best was awarded numerous honors, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (along with Banting) in 1923.
Throughout his life, Best remained humble and dedicated to his work, never seeking personal gain or recognition. His selflessness and commitment to improving human health have left an indelible mark on medical history. As a testament to his enduring legacy, Charles Best's story continues to inspire and motivate new generations of researchers, scientists, and healthcare professionals worldwide.
In conclusion, Charles Best was a remarkable individual whose contributions to the discovery of insulin will forever be etched in medical history. His unwavering dedication to improving human health serves as a shining example of compassion and perseverance, inspiring us all to strive for greater understanding and innovation in our pursuit of knowledge and progress.
Quotes by Charles Best

My colleagues and I were always having the same conversation in the teachers lunchroom about books we wanted our students to read, a field trip we knew would really bring a subject matter to life... And most of us would go into our own pockets to buy just paper and pencils.

We will employ almost every strategy and hustle in any possible way to recruit top engineers to our team.

Hardworking, passionate teachers know their students' needs better than anyone else in the school environment. If we can tap into their needs, we can unleash smarter solutions and empower those people on the front lines.

We aren't prescribing anything. We're not claiming to be the experts. We aren't advocating for or against any program. We are going to create a platform that says very explicitly what it is that teachers experience in their classrooms.

We want to use our site to galvanize people to give but also to take important steps toward real change.

Well, just as in the quality of public schools, there is massive disparity and the compensation given to the public school teachers.

KIPP schools would be just a shining example of schools where students aren't just given homework and taught imaginative ways, but they're really brought into a culture of education.

If you just believe in our democracy, and you want an informed electorate, public schools are in your interest, and I think our country is dependent on public schools, whether or not you personally have a kid in the public school system.

