Margaret Ormsby
Encyclopedia
Margaret Anchoretta Ormsby, OBC
(1909–1996) was a noted Canadian
historian, particularly concerning the History of British Columbia
. Born in Quesnel, British Columbia
, she was raised in the Okanagan Valley. She enrolled at the University of British Columbia
(UBC) in 1925, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1929, and a Master of Arts in 1931, both in History
. While pursuing her Ph.D. at Bryn Mawr College
in Pennsylvania
she interrupted those studies to work as a teaching assistant in history at UBC, then graduated from Bryn Mawr in 1936. She taught in the United States
for the next three years, then became a lecturer at McMaster University
in 1940, returning to teach at UBC in 1943. In 1955 she was appointed Professor and in 1965 became head of the university's Department of History, a position she held until her retirement in 1974.
Ormsby was chair of the Historical Sites and Monuments Board of Canada from 1960 to 1967. She received honourary doctorates from the University of Victoria
and Simon Fraser University
as well as UBC, and holds the Insignia of the Order of British Columbia
.
Order of British Columbia
The Order of British Columbia is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Instituted in 1989 by Lieutenant Governor David Lam, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Bill Vander Zalm, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to honour...
(1909–1996) was a noted Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
historian, particularly concerning the History of British Columbia
History of British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost province in Canada. Originally politically constituted as a pair of British colonies, British Columbia joined the Canadian Confederation on July 20, 1871.-Early history :...
. Born in Quesnel, British Columbia
Quesnel, British Columbia
-Demographics:Quesnel had a population of 9,326 people in 2006, which was a decrease of 7.1% from the 2001 census count. The median household income in 2005 for Quesnel was $54,044, which is slightly above the British Columbia provincial average of $52,709....
, she was raised in the Okanagan Valley. She enrolled at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
(UBC) in 1925, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1929, and a Master of Arts in 1931, both in History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
. While pursuing her Ph.D. at Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr College is a women's liberal arts college located in Bryn Mawr, a community in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, ten miles west of Philadelphia. The name "Bryn Mawr" means "big hill" in Welsh....
in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
she interrupted those studies to work as a teaching assistant in history at UBC, then graduated from Bryn Mawr in 1936. She taught in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for the next three years, then became a lecturer at McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
in 1940, returning to teach at UBC in 1943. In 1955 she was appointed Professor and in 1965 became head of the university's Department of History, a position she held until her retirement in 1974.
Ormsby was chair of the Historical Sites and Monuments Board of Canada from 1960 to 1967. She received honourary doctorates from the University of Victoria
University of Victoria
The University of Victoria, often referred to as UVic, is the second oldest public research university in British Columbia, Canada. It is a research intensive university located in Saanich and Oak Bay, about northeast of downtown Victoria. The University's annual enrollment is about 20,000 students...
and Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University is a Canadian public research university in British Columbia with its main campus on Burnaby Mountain in Burnaby, and satellite campuses in Vancouver and Surrey. The main campus in Burnaby, located from downtown Vancouver, was established in 1965 and has more than 34,000...
as well as UBC, and holds the Insignia of the Order of British Columbia
Order of British Columbia
The Order of British Columbia is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Instituted in 1989 by Lieutenant Governor David Lam, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Bill Vander Zalm, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to honour...
.
Further reading
- In Memoriam, article in UBC Reports November 14, 1996 by Jean BarmanJean BarmanJean Barman is a historian of British Columbia. Born in Stephen, Minnesota, Barman arrived in British Columbia in 1971. Her work The West Beyond the West: A History of British Columbia has been described as the "standard text on the subject [of British Columbia history]." She has received the...
- Order of British Columbia biography
- Margaret Anchoretta Ormsby, Canadian Encyclopedia article by Margaret E. Prang
External links
- by Margaret Anchoretta Ormsby at GoogleBooks.