Alice Wilson

Alice Evelyn Wilson, MBE, FRSC, FRCGS (August 26, 1881 – April 15, 1964) was Canada's first female geologist. Her scientific studies of rocks and fossils in the Ottawa region between 1913 and 1963 remain a respected source of knowledge. Early life Wilson was born in Cobourg, Ontario in 1881 to her father Dr. John Wilson, a professor of classics at the University of Toronto. From childhood she was often exposed to nature during canoeing and camping trips with her father and two brothers. Alice's early fascination with palaeontology, also had roots in her childhood, where she had already begun collecting fossils from the Cobourg Limestones near her home. This passion for palaeontology led her to transition into a role as a museum assistant within the palaeontology department of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) in 1909. These trips sparked her interest in fossils and the study of geology. Going outdoors also assisted in improving her struggling health. During her time in college, her brothers were already critically acclaimed experts in their respective fields of geology and mathematics. Life When Alice reached the age of 20, she made the decision to enroll in Classics studies at Victoria College in Toronto, aspiring to become a teacher. It remains somewhat uncertain whether her choice to pursue teaching was a genuine personal preference or a result of societal expectations at the time. According to her close friend Winston Sinclair, Alice once confided that during her youth, teaching was often viewed as the most socially acceptable career path for young women. It is possible that this societal influence played a role in her decision to enter the teaching profession. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65, as dictated by the prevailing laws of the time, Dr. Wilson found herself in a unique situation. It is noteworthy that her departure led to the recruitment of five individuals to undertake the tasks she had been handling. However, even in retirement, her commitment to her work and her sense of adventure remained undiminished. Remarkably, despite officially retiring, Dr. Wilson continued to contribute her expertise to the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), volunteering her services without compensation. Her enduring dedication to the field is evident in her decision to remain engaged in geology-related activities. Dr. Wilson's sense of adventure extended beyond her professional life.