Rowan, William
Zoologist, Ornithologist
1891-1957

Swiss-born ornithologist and naturalist William Rowan 
immigrated to Canada in 1919; in 1920 he became the first 
professor of the Department of Zoology, which he headed 
until his retirement in 1956.  He pioneered research into 
avian migration patterns and studied the cyclical population 
fluctuations of birds and mammals through banding studies.  
Dr. Rowan was a strong proponent of wildlife conservation 
and active in fish and game associations.  He was also an 
artist whose works were exhibited in Canada and England.  
His drawing of a whooping crane was selected for the design 
of a Canadian postage stamp.

Multiple media, [1896]-1965, 8.76 m    

Art, 1908-1957
Includes sketchbooks; Christmas cards; correspondence.

Biographical and personal material, 1902-1962
Includes or relates to awards; biographical articles; 
Unitarian Church; conferences and invitations; memberships; 
education; health; financial affairs; obituaries; tributes.

Career, 1909-1957
Includes teaching appointments and duties at Bedales School 
and the Universities of Alberta and Manitoba.

Conservation, 1916-1957
Includes Delta Waterfowl Research Station; federal and 
provincial game laws; fish and game associations; reference 
materials.

Correspondence, 1900-1965
Family; colleagues; students.

Major manuscripts, 1930-1957
As the Crow Flies, Beloved Wilderness, The Last Chapter, The 
Riddle of Migration.

Model railway, Jasper, Alberta, 1936-1950
A pet project of Dr. Rowan’s; includes correspondence, 
notes, photographs and sketches.

Music, 1927-1955
Includes support for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the 
University Mixed Chorus, and the Northern Alberta Jubilee 
Auditorium.

Photographs, [1896-1957]
Rowan family and colleagues; animals; birds; plants.

Projects, 1917-1957
Museums; zoos; postage; game stamps.

Public affairs, 1911-1957
Relates to the peace movement, the United Nations, education 
and other issues; includes addresses, lectures, 
correspondence, letters to the editor, memorabilia, 
reference materials.

Publications, 1913-1963
Includes correspondence; book reviews.

Research, 1908-1957
Includes or relates to cycles, migration, ornithology; 
enquiries; field notes; funding sources.

Speeches, radio talks, 1914-1957
Mainly on conservation; cycles; migration.

Descriptive inventory

Access: Open
See also: Reta Rowan; Department of Zoology