Professor of geophysics, U of Toronto; director general, Ontario Science Centre
J. Tuzo Wilson was born in Ottawa, Ontario. Educated at Cambridge and Princeton, he worked with the Geological Survey of Canada. He was internationally respected for work on glaciers, mountain building, geology of ocean basins and structure of continents; his greatest contribution lies in his explanation of plate tectonics. He also pioneered the use of air photos in geological mapping and was responsible for the first glacial map of Canada. He was the recipient of numerous awards, and was a Companion of the Order of Canada.
BA, Geophysics, U of T (first granted); Cambridge, 1932, 1940; Princeton, 1936. Geological Survey of Canada, 1936-39. Prof. geophysics, U of T, 1946-74; principal, Erindale Coll. 1967-74. While searching for unknown arctic islands 1946-47, he became 2nd Canadian to fly over North Pole. Served on NRC, 1958-64, Defence Resch. Board of Canada 1960-66; Science Council Canada, 1977-83. Author for popular audiences, incl. two books on China that helped reopen relations between China and Western countries. First person to ascend Mt. Hague in Montana, 1935 (Mt. Tuzo in the Rockies bears his mother's name, also a mountain climber.) Dir. Gen., Ontario Science Centre, 1974-85; distinguished lecturer, U of T, 1974-77; professor emeritus, 1977; chancellor of York, 1983-86; pres., Internat. Union of Geodosy & Geophysics, 1957-60;
Sources: The Canadian Encyclopedia, 1988
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