Norman Bethune Biography

Dr. Henry Norman Bethune

Born: 1890
Died: November 12, 1939
Place of Birth: Gravenhurst, Ontario

Major Notes:

Norman Bethune was very interested in medicine even as a pre-teenager.
He had great respect for his grandfather who was a doctor.
Bethune served in World War I as a stretcher bearer during which time he was wounded and sent home.
While home, he completed work at the University of Toronto for a medical degree.
He returned to the war front as a Surgical Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.
While working in Detroit (1924), he demonstrated true compassion for those less fortunate.
Bethune invented or produced over a dozen new medical tools including the Bethune Rib Shears.
He is credited with introducing the use of the mobile blood transfusion unit on the battlefield.
In 1935, he joined the Communist party while visiting the Soviet Union.
Although he was a very successful surgeon working in Montreal, Bethune went to Spain in 1936 to aid Spanish groups fighting against fascists.
In 1938, he proposed that Canada should have a universal health care system; a suggestion not popular with many doctors at the time.
He was asked to go help the Chinese who were fighting a Japanese takeover in 1938.
Bethune organized and taught Chinese the rudimentary medical skills necessary in hospitals and in battle.
Norman Bethune died when he operated on a Chinese soldier without wearing gloves and caught an infection.
From the Medical Hall of Fame: "Canada remembers Bethune as a medical genius, China reveres him as a saint."
His respect by the Chinese is partially credited for bringing China and Canada into having better relations.

For detailed research and more information, check out any of the following:

Great Men and Women of the World WritingDEN PBS.org Library and Archives Canada Wikipedia

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Major Notes:

Norman Bethune was very interested in medicine even as a pre-teenager.

He had great respect for his grandfather who was a doctor.

Bethune served in World War I as a stretcher bearer during which time he was wounded and sent home.

While home, he completed work at the University of Toronto for a medical degree.

He returned to the war front as a Surgical Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.

While working in Detroit (1924), he demonstrated true compassion for those less fortunate.

Bethune invented or produced over a dozen new medical tools including the Bethune Rib Shears.

He is credited with introducing the use of the mobile blood transfusion unit on the battlefield.

In 1935, he joined the Communist party while visiting the Soviet Union.

Although he was a very successful surgeon working in Montreal, Bethune went to Spain in 1936 to aid Spanish groups fighting against fascists.

In 1938, he proposed that Canada should have a universal health care system; a suggestion not popular with many doctors at the time.

He was asked to go help the Chinese who were fighting a Japanese takeover in 1938.

Bethune organized and taught Chinese the rudimentary medical skills necessary in hospitals and in battle.

Norman Bethune died when he operated on a Chinese soldier without wearing gloves and caught an infection.

From the Medical Hall of Fame: "Canada remembers Bethune as a medical genius, China reveres him as a saint."

His respect by the Chinese is partially credited for bringing China and Canada into having better relations.