Themistocles Zammit

Sir Themistocles "Temi" Zammit CMG (or Żammit; 30 September 1864 – 2 November 1935) was a Maltese archaeologist and historian, professor of chemistry, medical doctor, researcher and writer. He served as Rector (1920–26) of the Royal University of Malta and first Director of the National Museum of Archaeology in his native city, Valletta.[1]

Sir Themistocles Zammit
Born(1864-09-30)30 September 1864
Valletta, Malta
Died2 November 1935(1935-11-02) (aged 71)
OccupationArchaeologist, historian, medical doctor, academic, writer
Spouse(s)Aloisia Barbaro di San Giorgio
ChildrenCharles and Sophia Zammit

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, 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 bears Zammit's name. He is depicted on a commemorative Maltese 1 Pound coin dated 1973 and a commemorative Maltese 5 Pounds coin dated 2006.

Zammit 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.
  • Roger Ellul-Micallef, Zammit of Malta. His Times, Life and Achievements, 2 volumes, Valletta: Allied Publications, 2013.

References
  1. Rudolf, Uwe Jens; Berg, Warren G. (2010). Historical Dictionary of Malta. Scarecrow Press. p. 242. ISBN 9780810873902.
  2. Haas, LF (April 2001). "Sir David Bruce (1855-1931) and Thermistocles Zammit (1864-1935)". J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry. 70 (4): 520. doi:10.1136/jnnp.70.4.520. PMC 1737312. PMID 11254779.
  3. p. 110.


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