Head and shoulders image of Dr. Donald Rawson, 1905-1961, Biology Department.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Donald Strathearn Rawson was born on 19 May 1905 in Claremont, Ontario. He enrolled at the University of Toronto in 1922 and earned BA, MA, and PhD degrees by 1929. Dr. Rawson demonstrated outstanding ability as a student and was awarded a doctorate at age 24; his doctoral thesis investigated the bottom fauna of Lake Simcoe. He was a champion wrestler at the U of T. Dr. Rawson joined the Biology Department of the University of Saskatchewan as assistant professor of Zoology in 1928 and became head of the department in 1949. His research in limnology covered two distinct periods. From 1928 to 1934 Dr. Rawson concentrated on lakes of the newly established Prince Albert National Park. This work involved physico-chemical, biological, and fisheries studies, and included specific experiments in fisheries management. Dr. Rawson married Dr. Hildred Patton in 1932. From 1935 to 1941 he carried out extensive research in the National Parks of the Canadian Rockies and in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba. The primary aim of these investigations was the collection of limnological information as applied to fisheries management. In the late 1930s Dr. Rawson surveyed saline lakes in southern Saskatchewan. In 1942 Dr. Rawson began work on Canada's large northern lakes (including Reindeer, Athabasca and Great Slave Lakes) that brought him international fame. After 1947 he devoted most of his attention to investigations of Lac La Ronge and Amisk Lake in the Churchill River drainage system. Subsequently, many other northern Saskatchewan lakes were studied. Dr. Rawson's death, on 16 February 1961, came at the apex of his scientific and teaching career. Rawson Crescent in the College Park neighbourhood honours him.