John Gerald FitzGerald

John Gerald FitzGerald

Founder of Connaught Laboratories and School of Hygiene, University of Toronto

Born in Drayton, Ontario on December 9, 1882, Dr. John Gerald (Gerry) FitzGerald graduated from the University of Toronto in 1903. While studying at the Pasteur Institutes in Paris, Brussels and Freiburg, he visualized the possibilities of an antitoxin centre in Canada. He developed Connaught Laboratories, which provided the best in biological products for the prevention and treatment of disease and served as one of the country’s most active research laboratories. Another great achievement which lies to his credit is the School of Hygiene at the University of Toronto. He served as a member of the Health Committee of the League of Nations from 1930 to 1936 and gave his time to many national, provincial and local organizations. He was a charter member of the Dominion Council of Health, appointed when the Council was established in 1920 and served on the executive of the Canadian Public Health Association and the Canadian Medical Association. Dr. FitzGerald became Director of the school, at the same time continuing as Director of the Connaught Laboratories and as head of the Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine for which he was appointed Dean in 1932. Dr. FitzGerald was for many years a regular attendant at Dominion Health Council meetings and his contributions to their proceedings were greatly valued. Punctual in habit, precise and neat in action, he combined a cultural mind and keen sense of humour with a distinct appreciation of his responsibilities. His treatment of all persons irrespective of rank or station was gentle and considerate.

(Canadian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 31, No. 8, August 1940)