David McCurdy Baird
Encyclopedia
David McCurdy Baird, is a Canadian
geologist
, photographer, and academic.
, Baird received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1941 from the University of New Brunswick
, a Master of Science degree in 1943 from the University of Rochester
, and a Ph.D. in 1947 from McGill University
.
Baird held many university teaching positions including the University of Rochester (1941 to 1943), McGill University (1943 to 1946), Mount Allison University
(1946 to 1947), and the University of New Brunswick
(1947 to 1952). From 1952 to 1958, he was a Provincial Geologist for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. At the same time, he was a Professor of Geology at Memorial University of Newfoundland
and was head of the department from 1954 to 1958. In 1958, he joined the University of Ottawa
as a Professor of Geology and Chairman of the Department where he would remain until 1966.
From 1966 to 1981, he was the founding Director of the Canada Science and Technology Museum
. From 1981 to 1986, he was the founding Director of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
. In 1986, he was appointed Director of the Rideau Canal Museum in Smiths Falls, Ontario
.
He is the author of numerous books including Beauty in the Rocks: The Photography of David M. Baird (2006, ISBN 1894898370), Northern Lights: Lighthouses of Canada (1999, ISBN 1894073096), Jasper National Park: Behind the mountains and glaciers (1977, ISBN 0888301308), A guide to geology for visitors to Canada's national parks (ISBN 0770510108), and Our Earth in Continuous Change (1973, ISBN 0070773947).
In 1986, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
for his "life-long contribution to science education in Canada". In 1986, he was awarded the Royal Canadian Geographical Society
's Massey Medal
. In 1958, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
and was awarded the Society's Bancroft Award
in 1970.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
, photographer, and academic.
Biography
Born in Fredericton, New BrunswickFredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, by virtue of the provincial parliament which sits there. An important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province, Fredericton is home to two universities and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art...
, Baird received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1941 from the University of New Brunswick
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
, a Master of Science degree in 1943 from the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
, and a Ph.D. in 1947 from McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
.
Baird held many university teaching positions including the University of Rochester (1941 to 1943), McGill University (1943 to 1946), Mount Allison University
Mount Allison University
Mount Allison University is a primarily undergraduate Canadian liberal arts and science university situated in Sackville, New Brunswick. It is located about a half hour from the regional city of Moncton and 20 minutes from the Greater Moncton International Airport...
(1946 to 1947), and the University of New Brunswick
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
(1947 to 1952). From 1952 to 1958, he was a Provincial Geologist for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. At the same time, he was a Professor of Geology at Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
and was head of the department from 1954 to 1958. In 1958, he joined the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
as a Professor of Geology and Chairman of the Department where he would remain until 1966.
From 1966 to 1981, he was the founding Director of the Canada Science and Technology Museum
Canada Science and Technology Museum
The Canada Science and Technology Museum is located in Ottawa, Ontario, on St. Laurent Boulevard, to the south of the Queensway .-Mission:...
. From 1981 to 1986, he was the founding Director of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
The Royal Tyrrell Museum is a popular Canadian tourist attraction and a leading centre of palaeontological research noted for its collection of more than 130,000 fossils....
. In 1986, he was appointed Director of the Rideau Canal Museum in Smiths Falls, Ontario
Smiths Falls, Ontario
Smiths Falls is a town in Eastern Ontario, Canada. It is in the census division for Lanark County, but is considered a separated town and does not participate in county government...
.
He is the author of numerous books including Beauty in the Rocks: The Photography of David M. Baird (2006, ISBN 1894898370), Northern Lights: Lighthouses of Canada (1999, ISBN 1894073096), Jasper National Park: Behind the mountains and glaciers (1977, ISBN 0888301308), A guide to geology for visitors to Canada's national parks (ISBN 0770510108), and Our Earth in Continuous Change (1973, ISBN 0070773947).
In 1986, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
for his "life-long contribution to science education in Canada". In 1986, he was awarded the Royal Canadian Geographical Society
Royal Canadian Geographical Society
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society is a Canadian non-profit educational organization dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada — its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges.-History:The...
's Massey Medal
Massey Medal
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society awards the Massey Medal annually to recognize outstanding personal achievement in the exploration, development or description of the geography of Canada. The award was established in 1959, by the Massey Foundation, named for industrialist Hart...
. In 1958, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
and was awarded the Society's Bancroft Award
Bancroft Award
The Bancroft Award is an award of the Royal Society of Canada "given for publication, instruction, and research in the earth sciences that have conspicuously contributed to public understanding and appreciation of the subject". It is named in honour of Joseph Austin Bancroft . It is awarded...
in 1970.