Wilder Graves Penfield (January 26, 1891 – April 5, 1976) was a pioneering Canadian neurosurgeon known for his groundbreaking work in brain surgery and for developing the "Montreal Procedure," which is used to treat severe epilepsy. His work significantly advanced the understanding of the human brain, particularly in the areas of motor and sensory functions.
Early Life and Education
Wilder Penfield was born in Spokane, Washington, USA. He grew up in a family that valued education and intellectual pursuits. Penfield attended Princeton University, where he excelled in sports and academics, graduating in 1913. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Merton College, Oxford, where he studied neuropathology under Sir Charles Sherrington, a Nobel Prize-winning neurophysiologist.
Medical Training and Career
Penfield pursued medical studies at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He trained under prominent figures like Harvey Cushing, a leading neurosurgeon of the time. After completing his medical degree, Penfield continued his training in neurosurgery and neuropathology in various prestigious institutions in the United States and Europe.