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." |
From inside the book
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... Boat conveyance next summer from Quebec to this , perhaps Papa will bring Mama , Anna & you all with him to see me . If he does so , I will be very glad to see you all - If Papa comes that way and brings you with him will you remind him ...
... boats we then played tag round the College Ohara came in today and they played old man . I had a < very > bad headache so I did not play but went to bed early . March 10th . 1861 After they were all gone to church this morning I red a ...
... boats and tried to make whistle of alder but could not after tea I put a lot of specimens in boxes for papa I was asked over to Baynses but could not go . April 5th 1861 Miss came this morning after lessons we NO ORDINARY MAN / 31.
... boats and played top mama bought me 3 arrows today some ladies and gentlemen were in tonight On 13 April this diary ceases . The “ journal ” as George calls it , he evi- dently made himself . The cover was of light cardboard , with a ...
... boat for the dispatches . We then fired a can- non and soon after a steam tender called the lion came alongside and took off all the pasangers and lugage for Londonderry . Going out we passed quite close to the shore and had a very fine ...
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 |