James Merritt Harrison (1915-1990)

Abstract

James Merritt Harrison died 6 July 1990, following a bicycle accident on 18 April 1990 that left him in a coma from which he never recovered. ... He was respected internationally both as a geologist and a representative of the Canadian scientific community through his many eminent contributions. ... he received many honours for his work in government and with scientific organizations in Canada and abroad. He was a director of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society 1963-67 and a vice-president of that society 1967-73. He was an original member of the Science Council of Canada in 1964. He was president of several societies: Geological Association of Canada, 1960-61; International Union of Geological Sciences, 1961; International Council of Scientific Unions, 1966-68; Royal Society of Canada, 1967-68; and Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 1969-70. In 1971 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. He was assistant director-general in Paris for UNESCO in the period 1973-76. He created training programs and promoted science, particularly in developing countries. He continued to further the ideals and activities of UNESCO through membership and chairmanship (1985-88) of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. ... He joined the Geological Survey of Canada in 1943; his fieldwork being entirely in the PreCambrian shield areas, mainly northern Manitoba and the iron ranges of Labrador. He became director of the GSC in 1956 - its youngest director - and under his leadership the GSC developed and modernized substantially. He fully encouraged the development of new sub-sciences within geology, including the latest advances in radioactive dating of rocks, aerial photography, geophysical and geochemical surveys and the application of data processing to geology. Some of Jim's innovations made possible several major scientific advances and contributed to the rapid exploration of Canada's remote frontier areas, including the Arctic Islands and the Polar Continental Shelf. ... In 1964, Jim took on the responsibilities of assistant deputy minister (research) of the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys and in 1972 he became senior assistant deputy minister of the renamed Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. ... Dr. John Parker ... has commented about Jim Harrison as follows: "Northern people have lost a great friend and dedicated supporter. He truly cared for people and nurtured their ideas. ... He had a deep knowledge and understanding of Canada's North and was a great friend and supporter of its people. ..."