Sir William

Abstract Some of his American friends had cynically predicted that Osler would end up in England with a title. Regius professors were ideal candidates for honors, and soon after Osler arrived in Oxford the King’s physician, Sir William Broadbent, had told him that the wheels had been set in motion. Osler asked him to stop the wheels. ‘I was a stranger, regarded as an American, and it was hardly fair to give me any titular distinction in so early a period of my residence.’ He knew it would be said he was a title hunter. Broadbent died and Osler thought nothing more about titles. He was apparently taken by surprise in June 1911 to hear from Prime Minister H.H. Asquith that it was intended to confer a baronetcy on him in the honors list accompanying the coronation of George V. ‘What excuse are you going to give for declining it?’ Grace asked him. ‘You always have said you would.’