Edmund Murton Walker
Encyclopedia
Edmund Murton Walker was a Canadian entomologist.
Born in Windsor, Ontario
, Walker was the eldest son of Sir Byron Edmund Walker
, after whom he was named.
After studying in Totonto and Berlin, Walker joined the Department of Biology at the University of Toronto
in 1904, rising to become the head of zoology
in 1934. He was also Professor of entomology in the university's department of Zoology from 1906 until his retirement in 1948.
In 1913, Walker and T.B. Kurata discovered a new order of insects (Grylloblattaria, nowadays often ranked as suborder Grylloblattodea) on Sulphur Mountain, Alberta
.
He founded the invertebrate collection at the Royal Ontario Museum
(which his father had helped create) in 1914, and served in various directorships at the museum - Assistant Director from 1918 - 1931, and Honorary Director from 1931 - 1969.
In 1943, he married Norma Ford (an ex-student).
He was awarded the Royal Society of Canada
's Flavelle medal
in 1960, and was awarded an honorary degree from Carleton University
. A scholarship named after him is offered by the University of Toronto.
Walker also had many published works, including the three volume Odonata of Canada and Alaska, considered a definitive textbook on the topic, and was editor of the Canadian Entomologist
journal from 1910 to 1920.
Walker died in Toronto
in 1969.
Born in Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
, Walker was the eldest son of Sir Byron Edmund Walker
Byron Edmund Walker
Sir Byron Edmund Walker, CVO was a Canadian banker. He was the president of the Canadian Bank of Commerce from 1907 to 1924, and a generous patron of the arts, helping to found and nurture many of Canada's cultural and educational institutions, including the University of Toronto, National Gallery...
, after whom he was named.
After studying in Totonto and Berlin, Walker joined the Department of Biology at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in 1904, rising to become the head of zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
in 1934. He was also Professor of entomology in the university's department of Zoology from 1906 until his retirement in 1948.
In 1913, Walker and T.B. Kurata discovered a new order of insects (Grylloblattaria, nowadays often ranked as suborder Grylloblattodea) on Sulphur Mountain, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
.
He founded the invertebrate collection at the Royal Ontario Museum
Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum is a museum of world culture and natural history in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With its main entrance facing Bloor Street in Downtown Toronto, the museum is situated north of Queen's Park and east of Philosopher's Walk in the University of Toronto...
(which his father had helped create) in 1914, and served in various directorships at the museum - Assistant Director from 1918 - 1931, and Honorary Director from 1931 - 1969.
In 1943, he married Norma Ford (an ex-student).
He was awarded 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...
's Flavelle medal
Flavelle Medal
The Flavelle Medal is an award of the Royal Society of Canada "for an outstanding contribution to biological science during the preceding ten years or for significant additions to a previous outstanding contribution to biological science". It is named in honour of Joseph Wesley Flavelle and is...
in 1960, and was awarded an honorary degree from Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
. A scholarship named after him is offered by the University of Toronto.
Walker also had many published works, including the three volume Odonata of Canada and Alaska, considered a definitive textbook on the topic, and was editor of the Canadian Entomologist
Canadian Entomologist
The Canadian Entomologist is a scientific journal of the Entomological Society of Canada, published bimonthly. It has been published continuously since 1868. Volumes 1 to 54 are freely accessible in the Biodiversity Heritage Library.-External links:**...
journal from 1910 to 1920.
Walker died in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in 1969.