Frederick Montizambert
Encyclopedia
Frederick Montizambert, CMG
, ISO
(February 3, 1843 – November 2, 1929) was a Canadian
physician and civil servant. He was the first Director General of Public Health
in Canada.
Born in Quebec City
, Canada East
, the son of Edward Lewis Montizambert and Lucy Bowen, Montizambert was a descendant of Pierre Boucher
and his grandfather was Edward Bowen
. Montizambert was educated at the High School of Montreal and at Upper Canada College
from 1856 to 1859. He studied medicine at Université Laval
from 1859 to 1861 and then studied at the University of Edinburgh
for three years. He returned to Quebec in 1865 and married Mary Jane Walker, the daughter of William Walker who was a member of the Legislative Council of Quebec
from 1842 to 1863.
He was not interested in private practice but rather worked in public health as the medical director at the Grosse Isle
quarantine station. Starting in 1866, he held the post for thirty years. In 1894, he was also appointed to be superintendent of Canadian quarantine stations. In 1899, he was appointed Director General of Public Health in Canada. He retired in 1920.
In 1867, he joined the Canadian Medical Association
and was its president from 1907 to 1908. In 1890, he was elected President of the American Public Health Association
.
He was made a companion of the Imperial Service Order
in 1903 and a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
in 1916. In 2001, he was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, ISO
Imperial Service Order
The Imperial Service Order was established by King Edward VII in August 1902. It was awarded on retirement to the administration and clerical staff of the Civil Service throughout the British Empire for long and meritorious service. Normally a person must have served for 25 years to become...
(February 3, 1843 – November 2, 1929) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
physician and civil servant. He was the first Director General of Public Health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
in Canada.
Born in Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
, Canada East
Canada East
Canada East was the eastern portion of the United Province of Canada. It consisted of the southern portion of the modern-day Canadian Province of Quebec, and was primarily a French-speaking region....
, the son of Edward Lewis Montizambert and Lucy Bowen, Montizambert was a descendant of Pierre Boucher
Pierre Boucher
Pierre Boucher and later Pierre Boucher de Boucherville, born and baptized 1 August 1622 in Mortagne-au-Perche, died 19 April 1717 at the age of 95 at Boucherville, came to Canada from France in 1635 with his father...
and his grandfather was Edward Bowen
Edward Bowen (politician)
Edward Bowen was an Irish-born lawyer, judge and political figure in Lower Canada. He was the 1st Chief Justice of the Superior Court for the Province of Quebec, and the 2nd Chancellor of Bishop's University.-Life:...
. Montizambert was educated at the High School of Montreal and at Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College , located in midtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is an independent elementary and secondary school for boys between Senior Kindergarten and Grade Twelve, operating under the International Baccalaureate program. The secondary school segment is divided into ten houses; eight are...
from 1856 to 1859. He studied medicine at Université Laval
Université Laval
Laval University is the oldest centre of education in Canada and was the first institution in North America to offer higher education in French...
from 1859 to 1861 and then studied at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
for three years. He returned to Quebec in 1865 and married Mary Jane Walker, the daughter of William Walker who was a member of the Legislative Council of Quebec
Legislative Council of Quebec
From 1867 until 1968, the Legislative Council of Quebec was the unelected upper house of the bicameral legislature in the Canadian province of Quebec...
from 1842 to 1863.
He was not interested in private practice but rather worked in public health as the medical director at the Grosse Isle
Grosse Isle, Quebec
Grosse Isle Also known as Grosse Isle and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site, the island was the site of an immigration depot which predominantly housed Irish Immigrants coming to Canada to escape the Great Irish Famine, 1845-1849...
quarantine station. Starting in 1866, he held the post for thirty years. In 1894, he was also appointed to be superintendent of Canadian quarantine stations. In 1899, he was appointed Director General of Public Health in Canada. He retired in 1920.
In 1867, he joined the Canadian Medical Association
Canadian Medical Association
The Canadian Medical Association , with more than 70,000 members, is the largest association of doctors in Canada and works to represent their interests nationally. It formed in 1867, three months after Confederation...
and was its president from 1907 to 1908. In 1890, he was elected President of the American Public Health Association
American Public Health Association
The American Public Health Association is Washington, D.C.-based professional organization for public health professionals in the United States. Founded in 1872 by Dr. Stephen Smith, APHA has more than 30,000 members worldwide...
.
He was made a companion of the Imperial Service Order
Imperial Service Order
The Imperial Service Order was established by King Edward VII in August 1902. It was awarded on retirement to the administration and clerical staff of the Civil Service throughout the British Empire for long and meritorious service. Normally a person must have served for 25 years to become...
in 1903 and a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
in 1916. In 2001, he was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is a Canadian charitable organization, founded in 1994, that honours Canadians who have contributed to the understanding of disease and improving the health of people. It has a museum in London, Ontario, and has an annual induction ceremony.-2012:*Terry Fox*John...
.