#ThrowbackThursday – 14 November
It’s 14 November, and that means it’s time for another edition of Throwback Thursday! Today, we’re taking a look back at three prominent events that went down on this day in history:
1687 – Remembering “Pretty, Witty” Nell Gwyn
On this day, over four centuries ago, an Englishwoman named Eleanor “Nell” Gwyn passed away at the age of 37. Although her life was short, there was never a dull moment, especially when Gwyn was a successful actress, as well as the mistress of the King of England.
Nell Gwyn was born around 1650 in London, and she rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most famous comic actresses of her time. Her exuberant personality, striking beauty and undeniable talent, quickly captured the attention of the public and the royal court.
Nell began her career in the theatre during a time when acting was often viewed with disdain, and actresses were marginalised. However, her charm and wit helped to change perceptions, and she became a beloved figure on the stage. She gained fame for her performances in comedic roles in plays such as “Secret Love” and “All Mistaken”, and her ability to connect with audiences.
Her ascent to notoriety was further propelled by her romantic involvement with King Charles II of England. She became his mistress around 1669 and quickly became known as one of his favoured companions, earning herself the affectionate title of “pretty, witty Nell” (though she never received any official royal title).
Their relationship was marked by genuine affection, and Gwyn became a significant influence in the king’s court, admired for her humour and grace. Together, they had two sons, one of whom was granted the title of Earl of Burford (descendants of whom still live today).
Following Charles’ death in 1685, Gwyn was over her head in debts. Fortunately, King James II – Charles’ younger brother and successor – came to her aid and provided her with a pension, enabling her to maintain a modest lifestyle. Despite her financial struggles, Gwyn remained a beloved figure in London society, and her reputation as both an actress and a royal mistress endured long after her untimely death from apoplexy in 1687.
1889 – Around the World in 72 Days
In Jules Verne’s 1873 classic novel, “Around the World in Eighty Days”, Phileas Fogg is an Englishman who bets that he can travel around the world in (you guessed it) just eighty days. Accompanied by his French servant Passepartout, Fogg faces various challenges as they race against time. Long story short, Fogg wins the bet just before time runs out.
On 14 November 1889, American journalist Nellie Bly embarked on a solo journey to replicate and surpass Fogg’s record. Equipped with a few essentials and her writing tools, Bly left Hoboken, New Jersey aboard the German ocean liner, the “SS Augusta Victoria.”
For weeks, Bly travelled across the globe, navigating various countries and facing numerous challenges, all while documenting her journey for the “New York World”. Her adventure took her through England, France, Egypt, India and even the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean. Unlike Fogg, who faced some inconveniences here and there, Bly encountered a number of real-world obstacles, such as delays due to weather and mechanical issues, as well as cultural and logistical differences in each location.
Eventually, Bly returned to the United States of America, having completed 72 days of travelling – she beat Fogg’s record by eight days!
Of her return, Bly wrote: “They say no man or woman in America ever received ovations like those given me during my flying trip across the continent. The Americans turned out to do honour to an American girl who had been the first to make a record of a flying trip around the world, and I rejoiced with them that it was an American girl who had done it.”
Since then, many folks have taken a page out of Bly’s book by attempting the journey themselves using different modes of transportation (public transport, cycling, etc). Some succeeded and others failed. Regardless, the spirit of Bly’s adventure lives on, prompting adventurers to push limits and embrace the unknown.
1891 – The Birth of Banting
Today marks the 133rd birthday of Dr Frederick Banting, and no, he isn’t the creator of the Banting diet. However, he did pioneer one of the world’s most important medical inventions: insulin.
Born in Alliston in Ontario, Canada on 14 November 1891, Banting belonged to a family of farmers. When he pursued his education at the University of Toronto, he was initially inclined to become a Christian minister. However, he floundered in this area, so he decided to study medicine instead.
After working as a medical officer during World War I, Banting – with an interest in surgery and related research – returned to Canada in 1919. After undertaking some surgical training, he soon established his own surgery while also working part-time as an orthopaedics lecturer at the University of Western Ontario.
In 1921, Banting – alongside Charles H. Best, J. J. R. Macleod and James Collip – discovered insulin at the University of Toronto.
They realised the therapeutic potential of insulin, especially in the treatment of Type I diabetes, a chronic condition that prevents one’s pancreas from creating insulin, which in turn can raise one’s blood sugar levels to dizzying, debilitating heights. Dogs with diabetes were used in their experimental tests, in which insulin was drawn from the pancreases of healthy dogs and injected into the afflicted animals.
Based on these tests, Banting took it a step further by extracting insulin from the pancreases of adult cattle and refining it for a safer, more effective concoction.
The following year, at Toronto General Hospital in January 1922, Banting was permitted to inject a shot of insulin into Leonard Thompson, a 14-year-old hospital boy who was on the verge of death due to his diabetes.
There are conflicting reports regarding the outcome: some state that Thompson’s incredibly high blood sugar levels dropped significantly to near-normal levels within 24 hours. Others state that the injection contained an impurity, causing an allergic reaction in Thompson. This prompted Banting’s colleague, Collip, to refine the pancreas extract and use it for Thompson’s second injection 12 days later.
Whatever the case may be, it was a scientific breakthrough. Banting and his colleagues were hailed for their efforts, with Banting and Macleod receiving a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1923 (they also split their prize money with Best and Collip).
Following a plane crash in Newfoundland, Banting passed away from his injuries on 21 February 1941 at the age of 49. His legacy, however, lives on through the millions of people around the world who depend on insulin for managing diabetes.
