Censu Tabone
Encyclopedia
Vincent "Ċensu" Tabone was the fourth President of Malta and a former Minister and Nationalist
MP.
in the mid-19th century from Riposto
, Sicily
. His father Niccolò was one of the first Maltese doctors to read pathology and surgery in the United Kingdom and served as a District Medical Officer in various parts of Gozo. Life on Gozo for the Tabone family was relatively quiet and pastoral. They lived in Victoria
and summered at a villeġġatura in Marsalforn
.
Tabone's childhood was deeply affected by the sudden death of his father in 1922 at the age of 59. Two years later, at the age of 11, he was shipped off to Malta, where he became a boarder at St. Aloysius College, a Jesuit school. He entered the University of Malta
in 1930, where he graduated as a pharmacist
in 1933 and as a Doctor of Medicine
in 1937.
Tabone served as a Regimental Medical Officer and general duty officer with the Royal Malta Artillery
, and later as trainee ophthalmic specialist stationed at the Military Hospital, Mtarfa
. In the early days of the War, he narrowly escaped with his life when a bomb fell in St.Elmo fort and demolished a substantial part of the army barracks in which he was posted. In 1946, he obtained a diploma in Ophthalmology
from the University of Oxford
, followed by a diploma in Ophthalmic Medicine and Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of England
. He was a clinical assistant at Moorfields Eye Hospital
in London.
In 1948, Tabone was entrusted with the supervision of a campaign to treat trachoma
using sulfonamide
tablets and drops. Through his efforts, the disease was virtually eliminated from the Island of Gozo
. He helped launch similar campaigns in Taiwan
, Indonesia
and Iraq
under the auspices of the World Health Organization
, and subsequently served as a member and consultant of the WHO's International Panel of Trachoma Experts.
He served on the Council of the University of Malta
, and between 1957 and 1960 he was a faculty member of the Board of Medicine, and a lecturer in Clinical Ophthalmology in the Department of Surgery. He helped found the Medical Association of Malta in 1954 and is at present its Honorary President.
For many years, even as he served as a Member of Parliament, Tabone maintained his medical practice in Sliema
.
in 1961. He later served as the party's Secretary General (1962-72) and as Deputy Leader (1972-77).
Tabone was first elected to Parliament in 1966 and subsequently served as a Member of Parliament for the Sliema
, St. Julian's
, Msida
, and Gzira
areas for 23 years. During this time, he also served as the Minister of Labour, Employment and Welfare (1966-71) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1987-89).
In 1968, Tabone brought a motion before the United Nations
calling for an action plan in regard to the world's aging population. In 1988, he brought another motion before the UN, calling for the world's climate to be declared the common heritage of mankind.
Nationalist Party (Malta)
The Nationalist Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in Malta, along with the Labour Party. It was founded by Fortunato Mizzi in 1880 as the Anti-Reform Party, opposing taxation decreed by the British colonial authorities and measures to Anglicise the educational and the...
MP.
Early years
Ċensu "Il-King" Tabone is the son of Niccolò and Elisa Tabone, the youngest of ten children. His paternal grandmother, Giuseppina De Gaetani, had settled in VallettaValletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
in the mid-19th century from Riposto
Riposto
Riposto is a comune in the Province of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about 170 km east of Palermo and about 25 km northeast of Catania.-External links:*...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
. His father Niccolò was one of the first Maltese doctors to read pathology and surgery in the United Kingdom and served as a District Medical Officer in various parts of Gozo. Life on Gozo for the Tabone family was relatively quiet and pastoral. They lived in Victoria
Victoria, Malta
Victoria or Città Victoria is the capital of Gozo, an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The town has a total population of 6,414 , and by population is the largest locality in Gozo....
and summered at a villeġġatura in Marsalforn
Marsalforn
Marsalforn is a village on the north west coast of Gozo, the second largest island of the Maltese archipelago. The village lies between the hill-top towns of Xagħra and Żebbuġ The village forms part of the locality of Żebbuġ. Marsalforn is the most popular tourist resort on Gozo. It is well...
.
Tabone's childhood was deeply affected by the sudden death of his father in 1922 at the age of 59. Two years later, at the age of 11, he was shipped off to Malta, where he became a boarder at St. Aloysius College, a Jesuit school. He entered the University of Malta
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
in 1930, where he graduated as a pharmacist
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
in 1933 and as a Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
in 1937.
Military service and medical career
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Tabone served as a Regimental Medical Officer and general duty officer with the Royal Malta Artillery
Armed Forces of Malta
The Armed Forces of Malta is the name given to the combined armed services of Malta. The AFM is a brigade sized organisation consisting of a headquarters and three separate battalions, with minimal air and naval forces.- Headquarters, AFM :...
, and later as trainee ophthalmic specialist stationed at the Military Hospital, Mtarfa
Mtarfa
Imtarfa, or Mtarfa is a small town close to Rabat and Mdina in the north of Malta, with a population of 2,430 people .-History:...
. In the early days of the War, he narrowly escaped with his life when a bomb fell in St.Elmo fort and demolished a substantial part of the army barracks in which he was posted. In 1946, he obtained a diploma in Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
from the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, followed by a diploma in Ophthalmic Medicine and Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of England
Royal College of Surgeons of England
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is an independent professional body and registered charity committed to promoting and advancing the highest standards of surgical care for patients, regulating surgery, including dentistry, in England and Wales...
. He was a clinical assistant at Moorfields Eye Hospital
Moorfields Eye Hospital
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS eye hospital located in London, United Kingdom. It is the oldest and largest eye hospital in the world and is internationally renowned for its comprehensive clinical and research activities...
in London.
In 1948, Tabone was entrusted with the supervision of a campaign to treat trachoma
Trachoma
Trachoma is an infectious disease causing a characteristic roughening of the inner surface of the eyelids. Also called granular conjunctivitis and Egyptian ophthalmia, it is the leading cause of infectious blindness in the world...
using sulfonamide
Sulfonamide (medicine)
Sulfonamide or sulphonamide is the basis of several groups of drugs. The original antibacterial sulfonamides are synthetic antimicrobial agents that contain the sulfonamide group. Some sulfonamides are also devoid of antibacterial activity, e.g., the anticonvulsant sultiame...
tablets and drops. Through his efforts, the disease was virtually eliminated from the Island of Gozo
Gozo
Gozo is a small island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago...
. He helped launch similar campaigns in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
and Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
under the auspices of the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
, and subsequently served as a member and consultant of the WHO's International Panel of Trachoma Experts.
He served on the Council of the University of Malta
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
, and between 1957 and 1960 he was a faculty member of the Board of Medicine, and a lecturer in Clinical Ophthalmology in the Department of Surgery. He helped found the Medical Association of Malta in 1954 and is at present its Honorary President.
For many years, even as he served as a Member of Parliament, Tabone maintained his medical practice in Sliema
Sliema
Tas-Sliema is a city located on the northeast coast of Malta. It is a centre for shopping, restaurants and café life. Tas-Sliema is also a major commercial and residential area and houses several of Malta's most modern hotels. Tas-Sliema, which means 'peace, comfort', was once a quiet fishing...
.
Political career
Tabone was elected to the Executive Committee of the Nationalist PartyNationalist Party (Malta)
The Nationalist Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in Malta, along with the Labour Party. It was founded by Fortunato Mizzi in 1880 as the Anti-Reform Party, opposing taxation decreed by the British colonial authorities and measures to Anglicise the educational and the...
in 1961. He later served as the party's Secretary General (1962-72) and as Deputy Leader (1972-77).
Tabone was first elected to Parliament in 1966 and subsequently served as a Member of Parliament for the Sliema
Sliema
Tas-Sliema is a city located on the northeast coast of Malta. It is a centre for shopping, restaurants and café life. Tas-Sliema is also a major commercial and residential area and houses several of Malta's most modern hotels. Tas-Sliema, which means 'peace, comfort', was once a quiet fishing...
, St. Julian's
St. Julian's
St Julian's is a town in Malta situated along the coast, north of the country's capital, Valletta. It is known for tourism-oriented businesses, such as hotels, restaurants and nightclubs, centred mostly in an area known as Paceville.-General:...
, Msida
Msida
Msida or Imsida is a harbour town in Malta with a population of 7,623 . The town is located just west of Valletta on the northeast coast of Malta. The town enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry, sunny summers and short, cool winters.The neighbouring towns of Msida are Ta' Xbiex, Gzira, San...
, and Gzira
Gzira
Gżira is a town in the north-eastern coast of Malta between Msida & Sliema, and bordering on Ta' Xbiex, with its famed yacht marina and Embassy Row. The population is approximately 7,100 . The word Gżira means "island" in Maltese, and the town is named after Manoel Island which lies just adjacent...
areas for 23 years. During this time, he also served as the Minister of Labour, Employment and Welfare (1966-71) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1987-89).
In 1968, Tabone brought a motion before the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
calling for an action plan in regard to the world's aging population. In 1988, he brought another motion before the UN, calling for the world's climate to be declared the common heritage of mankind.
Trivia
- Tabone's great-grandfather is reputed to have been the MayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of RipostoRipostoRiposto is a comune in the Province of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about 170 km east of Palermo and about 25 km northeast of Catania.-External links:*...
, SicilySicilySicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, prior to the upheaval cause by the RisorgimentoItalian unificationItalian unification was the political and social movement that agglomerated different states of the Italian peninsula into the single state of Italy in the 19th century...
. - It is said that Dr. Tabone's grandparents, the De Gaetani, never quite mastered the local language, and accordingly they spoke a form of Siculo-Maltese patois.
- Tabone's childhood home on Strada Corso (now Republic Street), Victoria, now houses the La Stella Band Club.
- In 1887, Tabone's father, Niccolò, had sought a position as a Colonial Assistant Surgeon on the island of St. Lucia or another West Indian colony, but the colonial government of the day turned down his application, on the grounds that it would be too difficult to find a replacement for him on Gozo.
- He treated the first wounded soldiers after the first air raid of World War II when he was stationed at Fort St. Elmo
- Upon appointment to the Cabinet for the first time in 1966, in the Nationalist Party Government of Dr. George Borg OlivierGiorgio Borg OlivierGiorgio Borg Olivier was twice Prime Minister of Malta as the Leader of the Nationalist Party. He was also Leader of the Opposition between 1955 and 1958 and again between 1971 and 1977. He resigned from Leader of the Nationalist Party in 1977 and was succeeded by Eddie Fenech Adami...
, Tabone took his oath of office under the first name "Ċensu", thus institutionalizing the use of the name under which he was known from childhood, although in GozoGozoGozo is a small island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago...
, the island of his birth, he is known as "Ċensinu". Nonetheless, he has always been listed as "Vincent Tabone" in Malta phone directories. - Hollywood legend Joseph CalleiaJoseph CalleiaJoseph Calleia was a Maltese born American singer, composer, screenwriter and actor, both on Broadway and in film...
was Tabone's first cousin.