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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... tell her that you will come some time and show her some pretty Flowers and Birds in the Garden . When you come back here you will see another Little Boy over there they call him George Crowe . He can not walk nor speak yet , but he is ...
... Tell Anna that I have her little Hyderanga quite alive , it has set up a shoot already an inch higher , and there is a young sprout from the foot of it which will in a year or two , do to remove for another plant . I will expect , every ...
... tell a direct Lie . you , no doubt remember what the Lie was which Ananias and Saphira told , and what followed ... telling you and anna about what a Great Fire a little spark sometimes kindles . I told you of Cain & Abel and of Annanias ...
... telling stories and reading and after tea we were playing birds in the bush I came home at nine aclock and had to write my composition . I am Late of going to bed again as it is ten a clock now . March 16th . 1861 . I read a little ...
... tell papa that I took those moths down here and that there are two moths out now , one of whom has laid some eggs so I want him to send me the American Naturalists . Or at any - rate the one which gives an account of the management of ...
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 |