CA-K424History

Alice Wilson, the first woman geologist at the Geological Survey

Alice Wilson at her desk with a microscope, Geological Survey of Canada, before 1946. Alice Wilson at desk with microscope Geological Survey of Canada · Unknown author · Photo source · Photo licence: Public domain. Resized for display; item previews may be cropped. The image remains under the licence shown.

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Alice Wilson, a paleontologist and geologist who studied the Ottawa–St. Lawrence Lowlands, was the first woman employed as a geologist at the Geological Survey of Canada. She earned a doctorate in 1929 with support from the Canadian Federation of University Women, became the first female Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and helped open science and the federal public service to women.

Scope & context

Wilson’s career as described in her designation.

Sources behind this record

Alice Evelyn Wilson National Historic Person ↗

Parks Canada (Directory of Federal Heritage Designations)

Importance; plaque text