Nova Scotian Institute of Science - Hall of Fame

  • George Lawson
  • Born: 12 Oct 1827, Scotland
  • Died: 10 Nov 1895, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Field: Chemist and Botanist

George Lawson, "the father of Canadian botany," was the first Canadian resident to hold a doctorate in botany. He taught at Queen's and Dalhousie Universities and served as Secretary of Agriculture for Nova Scotia. He explored the flora of Canada West [Ontario] and Nova Scotia, published papers on the ferns and flowering plants, and did much to encourage botanical studies by amateurs.
He was a co-founder of the Botanical Society of Canada in December, 1860. He was a charter member of the Royal Society of Canada and from 1887 to 1888 was its President.
Lawson actively supported the Nova Scotian Institute of Natural Science (later the Nova Scotian Institute of Science), serving on its executive and presenting papers that were published in its transactions. At his death he was President of the Nova Scotian Institute of Science.

Related Links

The Lawson Medal

Bibliography

George Lawson (botanist)
Important Botanists of the Past
Dictionary of Canadian Biography: George Lawson