Professor Thomas Albert Starkey

Professor Thomas Albert Starkey, a well known educator, lecturer and physician of Montreal, was born in Hertford, England, a son of Thomas Starkey. His early education was obtained in his native town and in 1894 he was graduated from London University with the degree of M. D. Subsequently he pursued a course in the University Collegiate Hospital in London and was house surgeon at the Brompton Hospital. Subsequently he was sent to India to carry on researches and promote the cure and prevention of the plague and cholera. He worked in the Imperial Research Laboratory in Bombay from 1899 until 1901 and afterward was given charge, under the sanitary commission, of the entire hygienic condition of two large districts, his labors there being of inestimable value in improving existing conditions.

On his return to England Dr. Starkey pursued public health work in the laboratory of University College at London and was also bacteriologist of the London county council. He came to the new world in 1902, being appointed in November of that year professor of hygiene at McGill University of Montreal. In 1906 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Sanitary Institute of England and is now secretary and examiner of the local branch of the same body. In 1910 he was elected the first president of the Canada Public Health Association in which connection his efforts have been far-reaching and beneficial. Not only has he done important practice and research work, but has also written upon questions relating to the public health. He has lectured on the Ancient and Modern Methods of Water Supply—A Comparison, and on kindred subjects, all of which have to do with the public health and the prevention of disease.

In September, 1904, Dr. Starkey was united in marriage to Miss Josephine MacCullum, a daughter of the late Dr. Duncan Campbell MacCullum, and they have one son, Hugh. It would be difficult to measure the usefulness of the life work of Dr. Starkey, but the scientific world acknowledges its indebtedness to his efforts and his labors, far-reaching and effective, have been beneficial forces for humanity in various sections of the world.