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Temistokle Zammit was born in Valletta on 30 September 1864. After studying at the Lyceum and the University of Malta, he became a Doctor of Medicine in 1889. In 1905 he was appointed Professor of Chemistry at the same University, of which he was also appointed Rector in 1920. He occupied this position until 1926 when he decided to dedicate his time and energy to the organisation of the National Museum, particularly in the archaeological field.
Sir Temi, as he was popularly known, was a man of great versatility. His scholarly interests were multifarious and he was a very prolific writer, as evidenced by his numerous publications. As a scientist engaged in research work on the transmission of Mediterranean or Undulant Fever (in Malta known as deni rqiq), he first became known in international medical circles through his connection with Sir Ronald Ross. Sir Temi was also renowned for continuing the work of Sir David Bruce (whose name was adopted to denominate the germ of the said fever as Brucella melitensis) in the early years of the 20th century when he discovered the micro-organism in goat's milk. In 1920 he was awarded the "Mary Kingsley Medal" by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. He was also renowned for his archaeological excavations of prehistoric sites in the Maltese Islands and for his scholarly writings on the material found.
The range of Zammit's publications also extends to Maltese history, literature, culture and education. His accomplishments and merits were acknowledged in various international quarters. In 1911 Britain made him a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, and in 1930 Zammit was made a Knight Bachelor. In 1920 the University of Oxford conferred on him an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature and in 1932 he was made "Officier d'Académie" of the French Republic.
Sir Temistokle Zammit died on 2 November 1935.
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