Dr Sydney Taylor Champtaloup, 1880-11/12/1921.

LATE DR CHAMPTALOUP

A BRILLIANT CAREER 

Through the death of Dr S. T. Champtaloup, which we chronicled in our last issue, New Zealand has lost one of her foremost professors — a man who had made a life study of bacteriology, and lived for his profession. The late Dr Champtaloup was first cousin to Mr Fred. Baker and Mrs Peacock, both of Cambridge, and nephew to Mr Frank Champtaloup, brother to deceased’s father, also of this town, who has been farming in the. Waikato for over forty years. Messrs Edward and Frank Champtaloup came to New Zealand about 45 years ago. Frank went farming, while Edward entered business as stationer and bookseller in Auckland, in partnership with Mr Cooper, and afterwards traded as Champtaloup and Edmonston, the well known Auckland firm. 

The late Dr Champtaloup was born at Auckland 41 years ago. His father died when he was quite young, death being due to consumption, and Sidney Champtaloup resolved to devote his life to the cause of combating the ravages of that dread disease. Some 17 years ago he went to the Old Country to pursue his medical studies, and stayed for a considerable time at Charlton (Kent) with his aunt, Mrs Baker (mother of Mr Fred Baker, of this town). He graduated with first class honours in medicine in Edinburgh, and afterwards took his degree in public health, and became assistant in the Public Health Department under Professor Hunter Stewart, as well as pathologist to the Chalmers Hospital, Edinburgh. In 1910 Dr Champtaloup took up an important position as lecturer in bacteriology and pathology at the Dunedin University, and next year became professor of bacteriology and public health, as well as Government Bacteriologist- in Dunedin. He performed distinguished service in that capacity. Last year he made another trip to Britain in the cause of his life work. Soon after his return he began to suffer from illhealth, and death was due to the same disease that killed his father, and to which the professor had devoted practically his whole life. 

It is interesting to note that a sister of deceased (Miss Mary Champtaloup) is at present studying medicine (in Edinburgh. She is also making a specialty of bacteriological research.  -Waikato Independent, 15/12/1921.

PLUNKET SOCIETY

THE MONTHLY MEETING. 

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Royal N.Z. Society for the Health of Women and Children was held this morning, Mrs J. A. Johnstons presiding. Before commencing the business of the meeting the president made reference to the great loss which the society had sustained by the death of Dr Champtaloup, who had always been a staunch supporter and true friend of the society, 'the committee passed a motion of sympathy with Mrs Champtaloup.   -Evening Star, 16/12/1921.

Personal Items

The following resolution was passed in silence at the meeting of the Otago Hospital Board on the 15th inst,: — “That, the members of the Otago Hospital Board extend to Mrs Champtaloup their sincerest sympathy in the great loss she has sustained by the death of her husband, Dr Champtaloup.”  -Otago Witness, 20/12/1921.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.