CMAJ Humanities Books A life in letters Sir Andrew Macphail: The Life and Legacy editor. One of his students, H. Ernest of a Canadian Man of Letters MacDermot (who later became editor Ian Ross Robertson of CMAJ), recalled these historical lec- McGill-Queen’s University Press; 2008 tures as being “delivered in a droning 421 pp $49.95 monotone.” During World War I, Macphail had a harrowing return to practical medicine t would be a rare Canadian physi- for several months when he served on cian who could name the founding the front line with Field Ambulance No. I editor of the Canadian Medical 6. Toward the end of the war he was one Association Journal: Andrew Macphail of 3 medical officers who edited the (1864–1938). The McGill University short-lived Bulletin of the Canadian graduate was a physician and cultural Army Medical Corps. Out of these expe- analyst, whose career emphasis was riences came the first of what was to centred on his widespread literary have been a multivolume history of the activities rather than on his profes- war. But Macphail’s work was criticized sional-medical work. In Montréal, Que- on several levels, including its over- bec, Macphail was one of a group of emphasis on his personal experiences, Canadian Medical Association mem- some of these being attributed to other bers who believed that the 47-year-old McGill-Queen’s University Press observers. The resulting controversy association needed a forum for record- meant that no further volumes of history ing its transactions and the clinical study of Sir Andrew Macphail’s life. In appeared until just before World War II. experiences of its members. addition to being the founding editor of On a personal level, Macphail had There was, in 1910, no Canada-wide this journal, Macphail is renowned married a wealthy Montréal woman in medical journal, but for some years internationally as an essayist on impor- 1893 and they had 2 children. Then, trag- Macphail had been editing a good local tant political, social and intellectual ically, Mrs. Macphail died young in publication, the Montreal Medical themes of his time. 1902. It was at about this time that Journal. He offered to meld his journal Throughout the book, Robertson Macphail ceased his medical practice. into what became the CMAJ, thus emphasizes that Macphail’s life in Indeed, there is little record of gainful relieving it of a potential rival. When medicine was, in his judgment, minor employment after this time, suggesting the Maritime Medical News of Halifax, compared with his scholarly literary that his wife’s fortune had come to him. Nova Scotia followed Macphail’s lead, achievements. This decision reflects Certainly Macphail drew no compensa- the decision was made to begin publi- Robertson’s personal interests, as is his tion from his medical-journal editorships. cation of the national journal in 1911, privilege; however, this reviewer would “Gratuitous editorial work,” MacDermot with Macphail as editor.1 The CMAJ have liked a somewhat heavier empha- has pointed out, “was a tradition appeared first as a monthly, and like sis on Macphail’s medical experiences, accepted without reservation.”3 Never- many medical journals, had a shaky which were also seminal. He practised theless, Macphail was free to spend his beginning. However, among other general medicine in Montréal toward time doing what he liked best. manoeuvres Macphail persuaded Sir the end of the 19th century and the And what Macphail liked best was to William Osler to write a series of short early years of the 20th century. He also write. He wrote well. But he wrote little articles, Men and Books, which began taught at Bishop’s Faculty of Medicine on medical topics. The essay was his to appear in 1912.2 Osler’s name was in Montréal, and was a significant fig- forte, though he also published books, magical and his early participation in ure in working out the amalgamation wrote drama and even an occasional the journal must have had a salutary with McGill that took place early in the poem. He became a prominent and effect on anyone contemplating sub- 1900s. He taught medical history to arguably influential essayist specializ- mission of an article. McGill medical students from 1907 to ing on questions of Canadian–British This fascinating tale is one of many 1916 or so, and also chaired an infor- and Canadian–American relations. engagingly recounted by Ian Ross mal group studying medical writing, a Issues of early 20th-century politics and DOI:10.1503/cmaj.091307 Roberston in this first book-length natural subject for such an experienced economics, and social problems, such CMAJ • SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 • 181(5) E95 © 2009 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors Humanities as feminist ambitions in a patriarchal vigour.” Macphail expressed his beliefs career, a connection much dependent on world, became some of the themes of on the position of women in the world frequent returns to the traditionalist his writing. In terms of philosophical with conviction and a singular lack of homeland. It seems ironic that despite a approach, Macphail was an impas- tact. Women were, he held, when com- long life devoted to debating serious sioned traditionalist. pared with men, to be dependent, have Canadian cultural issues, Macphail’s Born and raised in rural Prince lesser sensitivity and intelligence, most lasting memorial is the one you Edward Island in 1864, Macphail “greater selfishness, unreflectiveness, are now looking at: the Canadian Med- imbibed there an array of basic values lack of sympathy, and lack of a moral ical Association Journal/Journal de that remained at the core of his thinking sense.” This may say something uncom- L’Association Médicale Canadienne. throughout his life. Before World War I, plimentary about women in Macphail’s much of this philosophy was articulated rural Prince Edward Island background. Charles G. Roland MD DSc in the pages of The University Maga- Yet that background became the Author and medical historian zine. This publication had been narrowly inspiration for what has proven to be Burlington, Ont. McGill-based, but when Macphail took Macphail’s only lasting literary contri- over as editor in 1907, he involved the bution: a book, The Master’s Wife, University of Toronto, solicited contri- published posthumously by his chil- REFERENCES butions from across Canada and paid his dren. It preserves an effective and mov- 1. Roland CG, Potter P. An annotated bibliography of Canadian medical periodicals, 1826–1975. authors. The number of subscribers — ing description of early Prince Edward Toronto (ON): Hannah Institute for the History of although never large — also grew. Island countryside life. As such it has Medicine; 1979. p. 23. Macphail was also a major contribu- achieved belated recognition, on the 2. Golden RL, Roland CG. Sir William Osler: an annotated bibliography with illustrations. San tor. Many of his favourite subjects seem Island at least, as a valued cultural Francisco (CA): Norman Publishing; 1988. p. 87. obscure now; it is significant that Robert- record. But that influence is local. 3. MacDermot HE. The fiftieth anniversary of the association journal. CMAJ 1961;84:1–5. son declares all these topics to be irrele- Robertson’s biographical summary vant to Macphail after World War I. of Macphail’s life has much to com- Macphail “did not support gender equal- mend it. The author has captured well Dr. Roland submitted this review in April ity, utilitarian education, or the social the organic connection between 2009; he passed away on June 9, 2009 gospel — in fact, he opposed all 3 with Macphail’s Island roots and his writing (CMAJ 2009;181[3]:181). E96 CMAJ • SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 • 181(5) © 2009 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors.