Wilfred Grenfell

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Wilfredgrenfell

Wilfred Grenfell

Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell (28 February 1865 – 9 October 1940) was a British medical missionary to Newfoundland and Labrador. He is best known for his efforts to improve the medical and social conditions of the people living in these regions.

Early Life and Education

Wilfred Grenfell was born in Parkgate, Cheshire, England. He was the son of Reverend Algernon Sidney Grenfell, the headmaster of Mostyn House School, and Jane Georgiana Hutchinson. Grenfell attended Marlborough College and later studied medicine at the London Hospital Medical College, where he graduated in 1888.

Medical Missionary Work

In 1892, Grenfell joined the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen (RNMDSF) and was sent to Newfoundland and Labrador to provide medical care to the fishermen and their families. He established several hospitals, nursing stations, and schools in the region, significantly improving the healthcare and education available to the local population.

Hospitals and Nursing Stations

Grenfell founded the first hospital in Battle Harbour in 1893. Over the years, he established additional hospitals in St. Anthony, North West River, and Cartwright. He also set up numerous nursing stations in remote communities, ensuring that medical care was accessible to those in need.

Education and Social Work

In addition to his medical work, Grenfell was deeply committed to improving the social conditions of the people in Newfoundland and Labrador. He established schools, orphanages, and cooperative stores to support the local economy. Grenfell also promoted the development of cottage industries, such as rug hooking and woodworking, to provide additional sources of income for the residents.

Recognition and Legacy

Grenfell's work earned him widespread recognition and numerous honors. In 1907, he was knighted by King Edward VII for his services to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. He also received honorary degrees from several universities, including Oxford University and Harvard University.

Grenfell's legacy continues to be celebrated in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Grenfell Mission evolved into the International Grenfell Association, which continues to support healthcare and education in the region. The Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland in Corner Brook is named in his honor, as is the Grenfell Historic Properties in St. Anthony.

Personal Life

Grenfell married Anne Elizabeth Caldwell MacClanahan in 1909. The couple had three children: Wilfred Thomason Grenfell Jr., Rosamond Loveday Grenfell, and Kenneth MacClanahan Grenfell. Grenfell retired in 1935 and spent his final years in Charlotte, Vermont, where he passed away in 1940.

See Also

• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen
• Grenfell Mission
• International Grenfell Association
• Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland