 Wilfred Thomason Grenfell (1865-1940)
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 Elizabeth Caldwell MacClanahan (1885-1938)
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
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