I am excited to report we have a wonderful new statue in Duthie Park. The gentleman featured is wearing rather a fine pair of brogues, don't you agree?
Oh, you want to see more than just his shoes? Well OK then.
Do you recognise him? It's John James Rickard Macleod.
No, me neither.
Why is he sitting here and what did he do?
Well the clue is in the words above the seat. It seem that this fine Aberdeen-educated gentleman played a key role in the discovery of insulin while working at the University of Toronto in the early 1920s. Along with Canadian physician Frederick Banting, he won a Nobel Prize in 1923 for this valuable research, but his contribution to the breakthrough was later disputed and only in more recent years has it again been properly recognised. You can read about JJR Macleod in more detail if you click here.
So anyway, a bunch of good people in Aberdeen decided, quite rightly in Gail's view and mine, that Mr Macleod deserved a memorial in a quiet corner of our favourite park, and it was finally unveiled last week.
And here he sits, looking out across to the bandstand.
And now, every morning when we visit the park, we will think of all those diabetes sufferers (humans and dogs) who have been able to live life to the full, in part due to the work of this brilliant scientist.
He really did help a ton of people and animals.
ReplyDeletethat is a super thing to honor this great man... a hug to all who can live their life with insulin... and yes, the brogues were the furst thing the mama noticed too... they are hand made.... we bet...
ReplyDeleteThat is a splendid statue. His name should be one that trips off all our lips rather than all those of passing 'celebrities'.
ReplyDeleteThere is much debate in the states over the price of insulin. So many people need it. Even in the UK it's not cheap for just the small amount that Jellicoe needs each day.
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteWell, Nobby, I must say it's not just the shoes that are very fine - that whole installation has style! What a great addition to your favourite park. Thank you for taking the time to share it with us. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
he was a very handsome man, quite dapper sitting there and we say thank you for the insulin, many women in my family owed their lives to insulin. nice shoes and also indestructible, will not wear out or need to be re-soled. the artist is very talented. If I were there I would have to take a selfie with him
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful man and his memorial is just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat really is a lovely, friendly, memorial Nobby. The statue is excellent and so much more human than cold stone. What a brilliant man he must have been.
ReplyDeleteWe have a very dear friend who's dog had Diabetes and had to have insulin injections. She was very brave and good about them, but I'm not sure I would be so brave!
Love,
Paca xx
That's quite marvelous, and well-deserved.
ReplyDeleteMr MacLeod is well deserving of that fine recognition. I've known humans and pets who lived good lived their best lives thanks to the discovery of Insulin.
ReplyDeleteOMDs I'd love to sit with him gazing at that gorgeous view
Hugs cecilia
My great grandfather, a type 1 diabetic, almost certainly owed the length of his life to this man. Before his research diabetics had to rely on bovine insulin extract I am told, so it is right and worthy that he is properly celebrated (him and all others whose scientific contributions have been wrongly attributed, claimed by others, or built on by those who were lucky enough to make a headline grabbing breakthrough).
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful memorial to such an important man. We're sure diabetics all over the world are thankful for his discovery.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to pay tribute to such a wonderful man who helped make such an important discovery!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
Altogether grand, Nobby and thank you for the very informative link. A lovely view from the bench, too.
ReplyDeleteHi friend, Ojo here! That is a good history lesson! Also, that shoe looks good for peeing on. Did you pee on it! That would be the ultimate sign of doggy respect for this person who truly deserves it!
ReplyDeleteThat is a very fine statue indeed, Nobby.. Thanks for telling us about Mr. Macleod. Our human sister benefits greatly from his accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
A fine spot to leae a pee mail
ReplyDeleteWell, now you need another partner for his bench, the Fred Banting dude...(Or maybe not, as those two men refused to speak to each other after they had locked heads i hteir work)...they worked in the city I was born in, amazing!! And so many people have benefitted, starting with that young boy that was the first patient as I recall.
ReplyDeleteDid you leave a message on his shoe, or the bench corner if you wnated to be more polite, BOL!
What a lovely tribute to a good man and his deeds! (But we know, that given the chance, Redford would pee there!)
ReplyDelete