Maurice Macdonald Seymour facts for kids

Maurice Macdonald Seymour (born July 7, 1857 – died January 6, 1929) was an important doctor and surgeon in early Canada's North-West Territories. He became the Commissioner of Public Health for Saskatchewan. Dr. Seymour also started the Saskatchewan Anti-Tuberculosis League, which built a special hospital called a sanitarium in Fort Qu'Appelle. He also helped create the Saskatchewan Medical Association in 1906.

About Dr. Seymour's Life

Early Years and Schooling

Maurice Macdonald Seymour was born on July 7, 1857, in Goderich, Ontario. His father, Captain Maurice Bain Seymour, was from Ireland, and his mother, Maria Macdonald, was from Scotland. Maurice was one of their three children.

He went to Assumption College in Sandwich, Ontario, and finished school there in 1873. Later, in 1876, he served with the Prince of Wales Rifles during the Guibord Riots in Montreal. Dr. Seymour then studied at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. He earned his Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery degrees in 1879. He continued his studies at Toronto University to get a degree in Public Health.

Family Life

In 1880, Maurice Seymour married Helena Louise La Rue in Aylmer, Quebec. They had five children together: three sons and two daughters. Their sons were Arthur, Harold C., and Maurice L. Seymour. They also had a daughter named Ena Isabella Seymour, who married Major M. A. Burbank. Another daughter, Cora Muriel Seymour, married Frank Dean.

After Helena passed away in 1925, Dr. Seymour married Ann Helena Fallon on October 5, 1927. Dr. Seymour is buried in California.

Working as a Doctor and Surgeon

Early Medical Career

Dr. Seymour first worked in Montreal as a surgeon for the West End Dispensary. He was also a district surgeon for the Board of Health. He became the Chief Surgeon for the Manitoba South-Western Railway. In 1881, he moved to Winnipeg and continued his general medical practice.

He also worked as a doctor for the Canadian Pacific Railway crews. He helped them as they built the Transcontinental Railway through the mountains. From 1885 to 1905, he was part of the North-West Territories Medical Council. He served as both president and vice-president of this council. During the North-West Rebellion in 1885, Dr. Seymour helped as a surgeon for the 95th Battalion, Manitoba Grenadiers.

Public Health Leadership

Dr. Seymour settled in Fort Qu'Appelle and worked as a doctor there until 1904. In 1904, he moved to Regina, which became the capital city.

When the province of Saskatchewan was formed in 1905, Dr. Seymour was put in charge of the province's health. He became the provincial Commissioner of Public Health. In 1906, he led the creation of the Saskatchewan Medical Association. He also served as president of the Canadian Public Health Association. He was also vice president of the American Health Association.

Dr. Seymour started the Saskatchewan Anti-Tuberculosis League. This group built the Fort Qu'Appelle sanitarium, a special hospital for people with tuberculosis. He hired Dr. R.G. Ferguson to be the main doctor and director there.

He also created education programs to teach people about good hygiene. His "Seymour Plan" helped people get important vaccinations. For example, they could get diphtheria shots in September and October. Smallpox shots were given in November and December. Typhoid shots were available in January and February.

Later Life and Passing

Dr. Maurice Macdonald Seymour passed away on January 6, 1929, in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Views and Recognition

Personal Beliefs

Dr. Seymour chose not to enter politics. He wanted to spend all his time helping people through medicine. His family were all Roman Catholic.

Awards and Honors

For his service during the North-West Rebellion, Dr. Seymour received the North-West Rebellion medal. In 1920, he was given the Fellowship of the Royal Institute of Public Health from England. In the same year, he also became a fellow of the American Public Health Association. Dr. Seymour was chosen to represent Canada at a health conference in Geneva, Switzerland. He was one of eighteen representatives from different countries.