No Ordinary Man: George Mercer DawsonGeorge Mercer Dawson was indeed no ordinary man. Born in 1849, son of the first Principal of McGill University, Dawson defied health circumstances that would have defeated many people and went on to become one of our most exceptional Canadians. As a geologist in the British North American Boundary Commission between Canada and the U.S.A. and as Director of the Geological Survey of Canada in 1895, Dawson examined and explored every aspect of Canada's unknown territories. This collection of writings, letters, diaries and essays begins with the young George and moves through his developing years to his adult life. "He climbed, walked and rode on horseback over more of Canada than any other member of the Geological Survey of Canada at that time -- yet to look at him, one would not think him capable of a day's hard physical labour .... It was his hand that first traced upon vacant maps the geological formations of the Yukon and much of British Columbia." "To read about him is like taking a drink of water from a cool, unpolluted spring. His sense of values was so great that he once said he didn't care much for money or possessions. All he wanted was what he could hold in his canoe." |
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... Annanias & Saphira . There is just one other character to whom I should now like to refer you . The spark of sin in ... Anna & WB – I am yours James Dawson to George Dawson , Pictou , Nova Scotia , 22 April 1857 . Dear George , I have ...
... Anna . WB and Miss Bell . Yours afftly The above gives a brief insight into ... Dear Grandpapa April 23d 1857 I thank you very much for the seeds you sent ... Dear Grandpa May 16th [ 1857 ] I have got my seeds sown and Papa brought < yes > ...
... Anna Dawson , Cacouna , Quebec , 21 June 1867 . My Dear Anna I must confess that writing ( as I am now ) with nothing to say is a sort of ceremony more than anything else . About the only observation which I made on the way down was one ...
... Anna Dawson , Cacouna , Quebec , 24 June 1867 . My Dear Anna I had just finished Williams letter and was going to begin yours when ( astonishing phenomenon ! ) an old man with a smiling face , a towsy wig , and a peep show walked in ...
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Contents
Life and Exploration on the Western Frontier | 122 |
Dawson and the Yukon | 143 |
Ethnological Endeavours | 148 |
Glimpses at Georges Personal Life | 152 |
An Enduring Friend | 155 |
A Loyal Son and Sibling | 169 |
The Bering Sea Commission | 175 |
A WideRanging Mind | 182 |
43 | |
A Voyage by Sail to Great Britain | 49 |
First Year at the Royal School of Mines London 186970 | 57 |
Summer 1870 with Parents in Scotland | 69 |
Second Year at the Royal School of Mines 187071 | 71 |
A Summer of Field Work in the English Lake District | 79 |
Third Year at the Royal School of Mines 187172 | 84 |
GeologistNaturalist on the British North American Boundary Commission | 101 |
Enduring Achievements with the Geological Survey of Canada | 119 |
Selected Poems of George Mercer Dawson | 185 |
Science and Exploration in Canada | 194 |
The Lasting Legacy of George Mercer Dawson | 197 |
For Further Reading | 200 |
About the Author | 201 |
About the Editor | 202 |
Visual Credits | 203 |
Index | 204 |