Wilfred Grenfell

Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell KCMG was a medical missionary to Newfoundland.

Wilfred was born at Parkgate, Cheshire, England on 28th February 1865. His father was Rev, Algernon Sidney Grenfell, headmaster of Mostyn House School.

He moved to London in 1882 and commenced the study of Medicine at the London Hospital Medical College (now part of St. Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry). He graduated in 1888.

In 1892 The Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen RNMDSF)(1881) sent him to Newfoundland. His task was to improve the plight of coastal inhabitants and fishermen. he began by recruiting 2 nurses and 2 doctors for hospitals at Indian Harbour. He later opened cottage hospitals along the coast of Labrador.

The mandate expanded to making a small ‘village’- schools, orphanage, . co=operatives industrial projects and social work.

In 1907 he imported a group of 300 reindeer from Norway but the animals carried a parasitic roundworm that spread to the native caribou herds The reindeer herd eventually disappeared.
1908 he got caught in a ‘slob’ a sludgy mass of floating ice, with a team of huskies,
on his way to a medical emergency. He managed to get onto an ice-pan and drifted for several days without food or fresh water. To keep warm he had to sacrifice some of his dogs to make a warm coat for himself. He buried the dogs and put a plaque saying ‘Who gave their lives for me.’

In 1909 he married Anne Elizabeth Caldwell MacClanahan. She brought comfort and refinement into his life, She became totally involved in his work - organizing his fundraising tours and lectures, editing his books and helped secure scholarship for the children to continue their education.They had 3 children of their own.

By 1914 the mission had gained international status. The International Grenfell Association , a non-profit mission society, was founded to support his work.

In 1927 he was knighted by the king for his years of service on behalf of the people of his community. He received 5 other awards. ( See 'Awards)

Wifred wrote 20 books- mixture of religious books and about Labrador. (See ‘Publications’)

The Grenfell Mission (1892 branch of RNMDSF) established a Village Industry Department prior to 1930.

They retired to Vermont after his work in Newfoundland. Anne was ill towards the end of her life. She kept the pain hidden from her husband and took care of him until she died in 1938. Wilfred died on the 9th Ocyober 1940.

The Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell Historical Society was formed in 1978.

Wilfred is honoured with a feast day on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church (USA) on 9th October.

Information included about
Fishermen’s Mission
Grenfell Mission
Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell Historical Society ( See ’ Death and legacy)