Grenfell Chronology

Wilfred Thomason Grenfell was born on February 28th, 1865 in a small coastal town in the north of England. He was an adventurous, impetuous boy who loved the outdoors and the sea. In 1883 Grenfell entered the London Hospital Medical School. While in London he heard the American evangelist, Dwight L. Moody. His words changed Grenfell's life and he decided to commit himself to Christ.

Grenfell joined the Royal National Mission To Deep Sea Fishermen, an organization which provided medical and spiritual services to North Sea Fishermen. In 1892, Grenfell was sent to Newfoundland to investigate the conditions in the Labrador fishery. "We're wonderful glad to have you," a fisherman said, "We've never had a doctor in theses parts before." This was the start of Dr. Grenfell's lifelong work on a coast that was ice blocked and inaccessible for many months of the year. He was devoted to improving the life of the people. Dr. Grenfell practiced medicine, built hospitals, established schools and orphanages and when not working on the coast travelled in the UK and North America looking for support and labour.

During his life, Grenfell received many honours and awards for his dedicated work and in 1928 he was made a Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George. By the late 1920's the hectic pace had begun to take its toll and Grenfell had the first of a series of heart attacks. He died in Vermont on October 9th, 1940. His ashes were brought back to his beloved coast and are buried on Tea House Hill behind Grenfell House.

Anne MacClanahan was born in Chicago, the daughter of a Confederate Army officer. She met Dr. Grenfell on board the Mauritania. He was returning from a fundraising tour in England. They were married in 1909 and came to live in "Grenfell House" which they had designed together. Anne gave Grenfell's life comfort and refinement and she became totally involved in his work. She organized his fundraising tours and lectures, edited his books and helped secure scholarships for the children of the area to continue their education. Although Anne herself was ill towards the end of her life, she kept her pain hidden from her husband and took care of him until she died in 1938.

Listed below is a brief history of Grenfell's life, awards, honours and accomplishments.

1865	Wilfred Thomason Grenfell born in Parkgate, England, February 28.
1883	Enters medical school at the London Hospital.
1885	Inspired by evangelist Dwight Moody to do God's work.
1886	Becomes a medical doctor and joins the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen.
1892	Comes to investigate the condition of the fishermen on the Labrador coast.
1893	Builds first hospital at Battle Harbour, Labrador.
1894	Grenfell Labrador Medical Mission formed.
1896	Makes first lecture tour of U.S.A.; starts Red Bay. Co-operative
1900	Chooses St. Anthony as headquarters for Grenfell Mission; acquires first hospital ship, Strathcona I.
1901	Establishes co-operative lumber mill at Roddickton.
1905	Starts orphanage in St. Anthony; Andrew Carnegie donates travelling library.
1906	Start of Grenfell Industrial Department.
1907	The Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George presented to Dr. Grenfell. Formation of Grenfell Association of America and Grenfell Association of New England.
1908	Brings reindeer to Newfoundland from Lapland; adrift on an icepan, Easter Sunday, April 21.
1909	Establishes non-denominational school at St. Anthony; marries Anne Elizabeth Caldwell MacClanahan on November 18.
1910	Birth of son, Wilfred Thomason, Jr.
1912	Formation of International Grenfell Association; birth of son Kinloch Pascoe.
1917	Birth of daughter, Rosamond Loveday.
1921	Builds brick orphanage at St. Anthony.
1926	Formation of Grenfell Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Grenfell has first heart attack.
1927	Knight Commander of The Order of St. Michael and St. George presented to Dr. Grenfell. New hospital at St. Anthony opens.
1928	Construction of marine slipway and dry dock in St. Anthony.
1929	Grenfell has second heart attack.
1931	Forbes-Grenfell expedition to chart entire Labrador coast
1937	Grenfell retires as Superintendent.
1938	Lady Grenfell dies.
1940	Dr. Grenfell dies.
1978	Formation of Grenfell Historical Society.
1981	Grenfell Regional Health Services established.
1992	The Grenfell Centennial.
1998	Completion of the Grenfell Masterplan.

The purpose of this world is not to have
and hold, but to serve. - Wilfred T. Grenfell

Mailing Address
Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell Historical Society
P.O. Box 93
St. Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada
A0K 4S0