William Dawson, one of the foremost Canadian scholars of his generation, was born at Pictou. After studies at Edinburgh work with the geolgist Lyell, he returned to become first Superintendent of Education for Nova Scotia (1850-53). For Almost forty years (153-93) as Principal and Professor of Natural History at McGill University he exercised a profound influence on Canadian education and science. A founding member and first President of the Royal Society of Canada (1882), Dawson was knighted in 1884. Sir William's extensive scientific writings gained him an international reputation. He died at Montreal.