Truby King

MA I083359 TePapa Sir-Truby-King-CMG full

Sir Frederic Truby King (1 April 1858 – 10 February 1938), commonly known as Truby King, was a New Zealand health reformer and founder of the Plunket Society, an organization providing care for mothers and babies. He was a significant figure in the promotion of breastfeeding and nutritional science for infants and young children in the early 20th century. His work had a profound impact on child health and welfare policies in New Zealand and beyond.

Early Life and Education

Truby King was born in New Plymouth, New Zealand, to Thomas and Mary King. He pursued his education in medicine at the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated with a degree in medicine in 1886. After completing his studies, King returned to New Zealand, where he began his career focusing on mental health, working at the Seacliff Lunatic Asylum in Otago.

Career and Achievements

In his role at Seacliff, King observed the importance of diet, exercise, and environment on mental health. His interest in maternal and child health was sparked by the high rates of infant mortality he witnessed. This led him to establish the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children, commonly known as the Plunket Society, in 1907. Named after Lady Plunket, the wife of the then Governor-General of New Zealand, the society aimed to educate mothers on the importance of nutrition, hygiene, and care in the upbringing of healthy children.

King's approach to child care was both innovative and controversial. He advocated for regular feeding schedules, fresh air, and the importance of breastfeeding. His methods were detailed in his book, "Feeding and Care of Baby," which served as a manual for generations of New Zealand parents.

Despite facing criticism for his strict regimens, King's work significantly reduced infant mortality rates in New Zealand and his ideas spread internationally. He was knighted in 1925 for his services to child health.

Legacy

Truby King's legacy is a complex one. While he made undeniable contributions to improving child health and welfare, his methods have been critiqued for being too rigid and not always in line with later understandings of child development. Nonetheless, the Plunket Society continues to be an influential organization in New Zealand, adapting over time to new research and approaches in child care.

King's work also had an impact on the field of psychiatry, particularly in the context of his efforts to improve the conditions and treatment of mental health patients in New Zealand.

Death and Memorials

Truby King passed away on 10 February 1938 in Wellington, New Zealand. He is remembered through various memorials, including the Truby King Park in Wellington, which houses his mausoleum and memorial garden.

See Also

• Plunket Society
• Infant mortality
• Breastfeeding
• Child care

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