Rowan, William, 1891-1957

Ornithologist and naturalist. Swiss born, he immigrated to Canada in 1919 and was employed as a lecturer of zoology at the University of Manitoba. In 1920 he founded the Department of Zoology at the University of Alberta, which he headed until his retirement in 1956. He pioneered research into avian migration patterns. He became a FRSC in 1934 and won the Favelle Medal in 1946. He also studied the cyclical population fluctuations of birds and mammals through banding studies, and became a strong proponent of wildlife conservation. He was a noted artist whose works were exhibited in Canada and England. His drawing of a crane was chosen for a postage stamp.

From the description of Papers, 1908-1957. (University of Alberta). WorldCat record id: 65755665