DAWSON, Sir JOHN WILLIAM ( 1.920-99) . A Canadian geologist and educator, born in Pic tou, Nova Scotia. He entered the University of Edinburgh, where for sonic time he pursued the study of science, and, upon returning to Nova Scotia, began active work in geology. In 1841 he assisted Sir Charles Lyell in exploring the geological formations of Nova Scotia, as a re sult of which he collected much new and valu able material in paleontology. The results of his early investigations were published in Aca dian Geology (3d ed. 1880), and in American and foreign periodicals. In 1850 he bees me Superintendent of Education in Nova Scotia, and in 1855 he was called to McGill University as professor of natural history. afterwards becom ing vice-chancellor. Dawson was recognized as an authority on Canadian geology, a subject to which he gave much study and contributed many valuable works. his name has been associated particularly with the controversy over the sup posed fossil `Eozoiin' which was found among the earliest rocks in the North American conti nent. He was also known as one of the ahlest
opponents of the application of the Darwinian theory to the origin of life forms. Among his important works are the following: Acadia 11551); The Story of the Earth and Man (1872); The Dawn of Life (1875); The origin of the World (1877) : The Change of Life in Geological Tim, 1SSO ; Egypt and Syria (1885) : Modern Ideas of Erolution (1890); Some Salient Points in the Science of the Earth (1594); and The Meeting Place of Geology and History 11S9-1). In 1882 lie received the Lyell medal of the Geological Society of London. and the same year lie was elected president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In 1884 he was knighted. In 1886 he was president of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. He was also an hon orary member of many American and foreign societies, including the Royal Society and the Geological Society of London.