Wilfred Thomason Grenfell (1865–1940) began his medical career working for the National Mission for Deep Sea Fishermen on the North Sea. In 1892, the Mission sent him to Newfoundland to invesitigate the living and working conditions of the fishermen there. He spent most of his life improving conditions for the settlers on the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador. His unorthodox methods and difficult personality brought him into conflict with the authorities. In spite of this, he achieved significant changes for the Newfoundlanders in medical care, education and economic prospects.
