CA-K231History

Carrie Derick, one of Canada’s first women professors

A portrait of Carrie Derick. Carrie Derick (cropped) · · Photo source · Photo licence: Public domain. Resized for display; item previews may be cropped. The image remains under the licence shown.

Factual accuracy review: No recorded challenge

No recorded challenge is not proof of accuracy. A challenge under review is not a finding that the item is false.

Botanist and geneticist Carrie Derick (1862–1941) overcame strong opposition to become one of the first women appointed to a full professorship in Canada, at McGill University from 1912 to 1929. A suffragist and reformer, she promoted political and educational equality for women; Parks Canada’s 2024 review also notes that she held eugenic views widely shared in her academic circles.

Scope & context

Her career and legacy as described in the reviewed designation, including its acknowledgement of her eugenic views.

Sources behind this record

Carrie Matilda Derick (1862-1941) National Historic Person ↗

Parks Canada

Reasons for designation (reviewed 2024)