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
Results 1-5 of 24
... interesting and varied life . Significant departure from Mrs. Winslow - Spragge occurs where the present edition uses complete letters and diaries in contrast to her brief and isolated quota- tions . Also , some material deemed ...
... interesting and worthwhile thoughts . His religious admonitions were rather severe but , nonetheless , his kindness and firm beliefs must surely have exert- ed a lasting influence . James Dawson to George & Anna Dawson , 7 Pictou , Nova ...
... interesting to be able to reproduce a few of George's letters , written at age eight , in reply to those of his grandfather . Dear Grandpapa April 23d 1857 I thank you very much for the seeds you sent us . Dr. Anderson14 has been ...
... interesting , and rather remarkable for a child of George's age . Some of the better essays are included below . Vegetation . Vegetation is that part of life which does not [ fell ] or move the nearest approach to animal life is made in ...
... interesting machinary , two models of Liverpool , as well as Natural History specimens , products & c . We then went to St George's hall which is a very fine building indeed . We then went back to the Railway Station and had dinner in a ...
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 |