John James Rickard

1876

MacLeod

1935
memorial statue society

JJR Macleod shared the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1923 as a co-discoverer of insulin and is directly responsible for saving the lives of millions of people with Type 1 diabetes. Yet despite his considerable achievements, very few Aberdonians today are aware of the legacy of one of their city’s most remarkable native sons.

The time has come to raise awareness of this unsung hero’s contributions to humanity and the proud place he rightfully deserves in the history of Aberdeen.

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PROFESSOR JOHN MACLEOD DESERVES THE HIGHEST ACCOLADES FOR HIS INCREDIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO HUMANITY.

The statue depicts a seated figure of John “Jack” Macleod on an iconic Royal Parks bench, a folded newspaper at his side with a headline referring to his 1923 Nobel Prize for the 1922 discovery of insulin. It rests on a specially designed terrace of reclaimed Aberdeen granite featuring pavers inscribed with sponsors’ names.

Nearby, mounted bronze plaques present Macleod’s name, key dates, his role in the discovery of insulin and reference to his receipt of the 1923 Nobel Prize Award for Physiology or Medicine.

Despite his prestigious Nobel recognition, Macleod was effectively airbrushed from history for nearly 50 years. It wasn’t until 1982, when historian Michael Bliss published the untold story behind the development of the world’s first clinically useful insulin, that Macleod’s vital contribution to this miracle drug was revealed.

This project was inspired by Professor Bliss’s tireless 30+ year campaign to give Jack Macleod’s scientific legacy the global acclaim it so rightfully deserves.

This video tells the story as it should be told.

100 Years Ago, a Miracle Drug Saved Millions of Children—and Created a Powerful Myth

2022 MARKED THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISCOVERY OF INSULIN, and was AN IDEAL TIME TO commence
RECOGNItion of MACLEOD’S ENDURING LEGACY.  

The Society commissioned renowned Ayrshire-based sculptor John McKenna for this project.

Some of his works include sculptures aboard the Queen Mary 2 and statues of Jock Stein, Jimmy Johnstone, Billy McNeill, Ben Bouden the poet of Dudley, the Shipbuilders at Port Glasgow and canine war hero Rifleman Khan.

The sculptor’s first portrait of Jack Macleod.

Rendering of the JJR Macleod Memorial Statue.