Themistocles Zammit
Sir Themistocles Zammit | |
|---|---|
 Bust of Zammit at the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta | |
| Born | 30 September 1864 |
| Died | 2 November 1935 (aged 71) |
| Occupation(s) | Archaeologist, historian, medical doctor, academic, writer |
| Spouse | Aloisia Barbaro di San Giorgio |
| Children | Charles and Sophia Zammit |
Sir Themistocles "Temi" Zammit (or Żammit; 30 September 1864 – 2 November 1935) was a Maltese archaeologist and historian, professor of chemistry, medical doctor, researcher and writer, serving as Rector (1920–26) of the Royal University of Malta and first Director of the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.[1]
Career
After graduating in medicine from the University of Malta, Zammit specialised in bacteriology in London and Paris. His 1905 discovery of contaminated milk as the vector for transmission to humans of Brucellosis melitensis present in the blood of the goat greatly contributed to the elimination from the islands of undulant fever, earning him the knighthood.[2]
Author of several literary works in the Maltese language, Temi Zammit was conferred the DLitt Honoris Causa by Oxford University. He was knighted in 1930, having previously been admitted as a Companion to the Order of St Michael and St George. He also published a history of the Maltese islands and excavated important archaeological sites, such as the Hypogeum and the megalithic Tarxien Temples, Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, which have since been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Legacy
Zammit's scientific approach to archaeology further enhanced his international reputation. A permanent display of some of his findings may be viewed at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.
The main Assembly Hall of the University of Malta was named after him. He also appears on a commemorative 1973 Maltese pound coin.
Zammit has signed most of his works with his initials T. Z.[3]
Further reading
- Sir Themistocles (Temi) Zammit
- Haas, L F (2001). "Sir David Bruce (1855-1931) and Thermistocles Zammit (1864-1935)". Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 70 (4): 520. doi:10.1136/jnnp.70.4.520. PMC 1737312. PMID 11254779.
- Biography
References
- ^ Rudolf, Uwe Jens; Berg, Warren G. (2010). Historical Dictionary of Malta. Scarecrow Press. p. 242. ISBN 9780810873902.
- ^ Haas, LF (April 2001). "Sir David Bruce (1855-1931) and Thermistocles Zammit (1864-1935)" (PDF). J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry. 70: 520. doi:10.1136/jnnp.70.4.520. PMC 1737312. PMID 11254779.
- ^ p. 110.
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- 1864 births
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