Office of the University President Sous fonds: Dr. James A. Gibson

Dr. James A. Gibson was born in Ottawa on January 29, 1912 to John W. and Belle Gibson. At an early age the family moved to Victoria, B.C. where John W. Gibson was a director of the Elementary Agricultural Education Branch, Department of Education. Gibson received his early education in Victoria, receiving a B.A. (honours) at UBC in 1931. In 1931 he was awarded the Rhodes scholarship and received his B.A., M.A., B.Litt and D. Phil at New College, Oxford. This was to be the beginning of a long and dedicated relationship with the Rhodes Scholar Association. Upon his return to Canada, Dr. Gibson lectured in Economics and Government at the University of British Columbia. In 1938 he was married to Caroline Stein in Philadelphia, and the same year joined the staff of the Department of External Affairs as a Foreign Service officer. Within twenty minutes of his arrival he was seconded to the Office of the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for External Affairs, W. L. Mackenzie King in charge of War Records and Liaison Officer. This was a critical time in the history of Canada, and Dr. Gibson experienced firsthand several milestones, including the Royal Visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939. Dr. Gibson was present at the formation of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945, being part of the Prime Minister’s professional staff as well as attending conferences in Washington, Quebec and London as an advisor to the Canadian delegation. Gibson contributed many articles to the publication bout de papier about his experiences during these years. After his resignation in 1947, Gibson joined the staff of the fledgling Carleton College, as a lecturer. In 1949 he was appointed a professor and in 1951 became Dean of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Gibson acted as President from 1955 to 1956 upon the sudden death of Dr. MacOdrum. In 1963 Dr. Gibson accepted the invitation of the Brock University Founders’ Committee, chaired by Arthur Schmon, to become the founding president. Dr. Gibson guided the new University from a converted refrigeration plant, to an ever expanding University campus on the brow of the Niagara Escarpment. Dr. Gibson remained firmly “attached” to Brock University. Even after official retirement, in 1974, he retained the title President Emeritus. Gibson’s final official contribution was an unpublished ten year history of the University. In retirement Gibson remained active in scholarly pursuits. He was a visiting scholar at the Center of Canadian Studies, University of Edinburgh; continued his ongoing research activities focusing on W. L. Mackenzie King, the Office of the Governor General of Canada, and political prisoners transported to Van Dieman’s Land. He remained active in the Canadian Association of Rhodes Scholars, becoming editor from 1975 to 1994 and was appointed Editor Emeritus and Director for Life in 1995 in honour of his dedicated and outstanding service. In 1993 he was awarded one of Canada’s highest achievements, the Order of Canada. Gibson retained close ties with Brock University and many of its faculty. He maintained an office in the Politics Department where he became a vital part of the department. In 1996 Brock University honoured Gibson by naming the University Library in his honour. James A. Gibson Library staff was instrumental in celebrating the 90th birthday of Gibson in 2002, with a widely attended party in the Pond Inlet where many former students, including Silver Badgers. The attendees also included former and current colleagues from Brock University, Canadian Rhodes Scholars Association, family and friends. Gibson was later to remark that the highlight of this event was the gift of his original academic robe which he had personally designed in 1964. In 2003 Dr. Gibson moved to Ottawa to be near some of his children and the city of his birth and early career. In that year “two visits to Brock ensued: the first, to attend a special celebration of the James A. Gibson Library; his late to attend the 74th Convocation on Saturday, October 18, 2003. A week later, in Ottawa, he went for a long walk, returned to his residence, Rideau Gardens, went into the lounge area, took off his coat and folded it up, put it on the back of his chair, sat down, folded his hands in his lap, closed his eyes, and died”. With sources from: Carleton University The Charlatan, Gibson CV, and Memorial Service Programme

Letter to William Collver or John Roberts, 1849

A letter to “my dear Mr. Collver and co.” The writer mentions the “circuit” that she has traveled, and a conference which she attended. In regard to the circuit, she talks about her interest in the Welland Canal. The references all seem to be religious in nature. She asks Mr. Collver how he likes the new preacher and says that in a letter that the preacher published in the newspaper he refers to the “breaking of Jordan Chapel”. She says that a society of teetotalers has been established in her town and they are known as “Sons of Temperance”. She also mentions “my man Brown” who was there but has left, leaving her to have the circuit by herself. She signs off with “I am yours affectionately [Eleanor Corman]. The second part of the letter is addressed to “my dear Mr. Roberts”. She asks him for some music that she would like, but cannot find in Kingston. She would like him to “come down and teach singing” this winter. She also asks him to give her regards to Mr. P. Beamer and family. She ends this part of the letter with “Nothing further yours affectionately [Eleanor Corman]”. There are 4 red postmarks on the outside of the letter and they are: Picton, July 31, 1849 Cobourg, August 2, 1849 St. Catharines, August 4, 1849 There is one other postmark which is too faded to be legible.

Sir Isaac Brock Facial Reconstruction Project, n.d.

Christian Cardell Corbet, a descendant of Guernsey, Channel Islands, was born in 1966 at Pickering Beach on Lake Ontario. He developed his talents as a landscape artist and at the young age of 14 he began his informal education in commercial signage from his paternal grandfather. He studied at the University of Guelph and McMaster University Anatomy Laboratory. Corbet traveled to England where he began to experiment more in abstraction and non-objective work. In 1995, he presented a portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother at Clarence House. This brought his career to an international level. He also creates two-dimensional works and has received acclaim for his bronze art medallions. He has gained international recognition as a Forensic Artist working as Artist in Residence for the University of Western Ontario. He does facial reconstructions for special assignments. These original drawings relate to a sculpted medallion of Brock which was authorized by Sir Geoffrey Rowland, Bailiff, Guernsey, Channel Islands and Minister of Education of the States of Guernsey. This is the first time in known recorded history that a forensic analysis and sculpture has been created to accurately depict the facial likeness of Sir Isaac Brock. This project has been established to mark the 2012 anniversary of the death of Brock.

Admiralty Commissioner's Orders, October 13, 1812.

Sir John Thomas Duckworth (1747-1817) served as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Newfoundland when the United States declared war against Great Britain in 1812. He effectively prepared for the war by reviving and expanding the militia forces, establishing a signal station to warn of the approach of enemy ships, and strengthening the seaward forces. He resigned the post in December 1812 in order to take a parliamentary seat for New Romney, on the Kent coast. Sir William Domett (1752-1828) and Sir Joseph Sydney (1768-1831) were both naval officers and members of the Board of Admiralty when the United States declared war on Great Britain in 1812. Sir George Warrender, 4th Baronet (1782-1849), served as Lord of the Admiralty from 1812-1822, and as a Member of Parliament for various constituencies in Great Britain from 1807-1832. Sir John Barrow (1764-1848) was secretary of the Admiralty from 1804-1845, with the exception of the period from Feb. 1806-April 1807. He is best known for his support and encouragement of British exploration, especially in West Africa and the Arctic.

Letter - Earl Grey (Sir Albert Henry George Grey) to Ethelwyn Wetherald, 2 January 1909

A letter from Earl Grey (Sir Albert Henry George Grey) the Governor General of Canada to Wetherald discusses her 1907 publication The Last Robin: Lyrics and Sonnets. The Governor General describes his fondness for Wetherald's sonnets and the "shakespearian" quality.

Photograph - William Bliss Carman and Miss M. B. Stevenson, September 1927

A photograph of poet William Bliss Carman and M. B. Stevenson in New Canaan, Connecticut. The photograph from September 1927 was sent to fellow poet Ethelwyn Wetherald in 1932. It was included in a four page letter from Carman to Wetherald. Carman, also Canadian, spent most of his years in the United States, but in his letter he mentions that he "regrets" he cannot keep in closer touch with his fellow Canadian poets.

Letter - Nikola Tesla to William B. Rankine, 19 April 1904

A letter from Nikola Tesla to William B. Rankine in the year 1904. Tesla discusses the worth of his patents/companies. Tesla also remarks on the power of several of his machines including "Tesla Coil", "Tesla Transformer", and "Tesla High-Potential Methods".

Letter - William Lyon Mackenzie King (Deputy Minister of Labour) to The Niagara Power Company, 5 October 1903

A letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to The Niagara Power Company in the year 1903. Mackenzie King is Deputy Minister of Labour for the Department of Labour Canada and in this letter he discusses issues with importing of men from the United States to Canada for employment. The letter warns of penalty if found guilty of unlawfully importing men for employment.

Photograph - Mr. William Field

A photograph of Mr. William Field, photographed by A.L. Lehnkering, no. 158 East Main St., Rochester, New York. The photograph reads "conductor" on back.

Residence of William W. Kitchen & Residence of Charles Kitchen - Vignette

A vignette two homes in Grimsby. There are two homes in the image, one the residence of William W. Kitchen, the second the residence of Charles Kitchen.

Budding sprays and sketch of the life of General Sir Isaac Brock (1912)

A sketch of the life of General Sir Isaac Brock.

The true history regarding alleged connection of the order of ancient, free and accepted Masons: with the abduction and murder of William Morgan in western New York, in 1826... (1886)

Cover title: Masonic light on the abduction and murder of Wm. Morgan.

Pica 13: Newsletter of the Mackenzie Heritage Printery Museum, 2001

The Mackenzie Heritage Printery Museum in Queenston, Ontario, is Canada’s largest working printing museum. The museum is housed in the 19th century home of William Lyon Mackenzie, a journalist and politician who published the Colonial Advocate and was instrumental in the Rebellion of 1837. The museum contains a Louis Roy Press, the oldest in Canada and one of the few original wooden presses remaining in the world.

William Hand Manufacturer of Fire-works, Pyrotechnic Artist Advertisement

An advertisement addressed to the "celebration committees" for May 24th and July 1st. William Hand details his services for fireworks and other lighting. Price ranges are included and reviews/comments quoted from several newspapers.

Grand Lodge of Ontario Independent Order of Odd Fellows - William H. Cowan

A certificate from the Grand Lodge of Ontario Independent Order of Odd Fellows to brother William H. Cowan. He has been admitted as a member of Livingstone Lodge No. 130 at Merritton 19 October 1909. The certificate is signed and dated by W. Brooks (Secretary) and S.A. Poplestoise (Grand Master) December 7, 1911. Cowan received the Degree of Truth.