John McCrae

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae was a Canadian poet, physician, author, and soldier during World War I, and a surgeon during the Second Battle of Ypres. He is best known for writing the famous war memorial poem "In Flanders Fields". McCrae's early life was marked by his commitment to excellence in both academics and military service. He was born on November 30, 1872, in Guelph, Ontario. His education and career were diverse and accomplished; he attended the University of Toronto, where he earned a degree in biology, and later received his medical degree. McCrae's service in the military began with the South African (Boer) War, and he continued to serve in World War I where he wrote his iconic poem. His work as a physician and his literary contributions have left a lasting legacy. McCrae died of pneumonia on January 28, 1918, in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France.