More has been written about Sir William Osler (1849-1919) than about any other physician, including probably Hippocrates. Called 'the best doctor of all time' some years after his death by JAMA, he inspired medical students and doctors in Europe and North America where he practised medicine, and continues to do so all over the world even today, over 80 years after his death. He was a mentor to numerous physicians and surgeons, many of whom were to achieve fame in their professional lives. Osler societies and clubs all over the world as well as numerous articles and books on the man stand testimony to this.