Best, Charles Herbert (1899–1978), a Canadian physiologist who assisted Sir Frederick G. Banting in discovering insulin for the treatment of diabetes (1921–22). Best was born in West Pembroke, Maine. While a student at the University of Toronto he was a research assistant to Banting. After graduation Best stayed on as a medical research associate. He became head of the physiology department in 1929. After Banting's death in 1941, Best was appointed director of the Banting-Best Department of Medical Research at the university. He was also made head of the Charles H. Best Institute for diabetic research, established in 1951. He retired in 1967.