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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... Hope Review and Sunday Scholar's Friend. G eorge's grandfather , James Dawson , 6 lived in Pictou , Nova Scotia . he „ There , in his younger years , when sailing ships plied the oceans , carried on a most profitable shipping business ...
... Hope " 9 in a few days and will send you one - which you both can read and let WB10 look at the pictures - Good boy !! I am thankful that his Pa says he remembers me and Loves me . I will send him a pretty [ ... ] [ ... ] . Give my Love ...
... hope baby & you have got quit of your colds . You should take good care not to get your feet wet among the cold snow and water - you have heard the old Proverb I suppose that Waters a fine one Good Servants but bad master . Every body ...
... hope you will continue to give attention to your writing , because if you ever allow yourself to Decend from writing a legible round hand , to write a hasty sharp scrawl in place , you will never recover what you have lost - The wise ...
... their roots ; papa's garden is laid out very nicely . we were very glad to hear that you are a little better and I hope you will be able to go up the Mountain T his collection of some eleven essays written by George NO ORDINARY MAN / 18.
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 |