Dawson was the greatest scientist in Canada in the 19th century. He was a geologist and paleontologist, the only person to be president of both the British and the American Associations for the Advancement of Science. He founded the Royal Society of Canada. He was one of the leading critics of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. When Dawson arrived at McGill it was in a moribund state, but during his 38 year tenure as Principal it rose to become one of the world’s leading universities.  Family links:  Children:  William Bell Dawson (____ – 1944)* *Calculated relationship