George Mercer Dawson (August 1, 1849 – March 2, 1901) was a prominent Canadian geologist and surveyor known for his extensive explorations in western North America and detailed records of native peoples. Dawson was born in Pictou, Nova Scotia, as the eldest son of Sir John William Dawson, Principal of McGill University, and Lady Margaret Dawson. Despite contracting tuberculosis of the spine (Pott's disease) at age 11, which caused significant physical challenges, he became one of Canada's leading scientists. His education began with private tutoring and continued at the High School of Montreal and McGill University. In 1869, Dawson moved to London to study geology and paleontology at the Royal School of Mines, graduating with top honors after three years. Dawson's professional career started in the 1870s as a professor of chemistry at Morrin College in Quebec City. From 1873 to 1875, he worked for the British North American Boundary Commission, producing a significant report on the geology and resources along the 49th parallel. This report established his reputation as a notable scientist. Joining the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) in 1875, Dawson led numerous field expeditions across Canada’s north and west, significantly advancing the understanding of the region’s geology and natural history. Notably, he mapped major mountains and passes in the Canadian Rockies and published a comprehensive map in 1886. Dawson was also deeply interested in the Indigenous cultures he encountered. His 1878 report on the Haida people of Haida Gwaii included a vocabulary of their language and photographs of their villages and totem poles. He also documented the cultures of other Indigenous groups in Yukon, British Columbia, and Vancouver Island. In 1887, Dawson, with his assistant R.G. McConnell, explored northern British Columbia and the Yukon River headwaters, producing some of the first maps of the region. Dawson City and Dawson Creek were named in his honor. In 1898, Dawson led an expedition to survey resources, alongside the renowned anarchist Peter Kropotkin, who praised Dawson’s exceptional knowledge of the Rocky Mountains and coastal ranges. Dawson was appointed assistant director of the GSC in 1883 and its third director in 1895. Under his leadership, the GSC expanded its expeditions and increased its Indigenous collections, forming the basis for the Canadian Museum of History. He also advocated for a new building for the GSC, which was funded shortly before his unexpected death from acute bronchitis in Ottawa in 1901. Dawson was buried in Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal, and the Victoria Memorial Museum Building was named in his honor. Dawson received honorary LL.D. degrees from Queen’s University (1890) and McGill University (1891). He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1891 and was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1892. He also served as president of the Geological Society of America in 1900, following in his father’s footsteps.

George Mercer Dawson - Wikipedia