Thomas, Lewis Gwynne
Historian
1914-

Lewis Gwynne Thomas joined the University in 1938 as a sessional 
lecturer in history.  He served as secretary of the Faculty of 
Arts from 1946 to 1951 and in 1958 was appointed professor and 
head of the Department of History.  He retired from the chair in 
1964 and from the University as Professor Emeritus in 1974.  Dr. 
Thomas introduced the first course in western Canadian history to 
the University of Alberta in 1949/50, and he shared his interest 
in western Canadian history through his many publications and his 
participation in historical associations.

Multiple media, 1907-1987, 4.59 m    

Correspondence, 1957-1976
Includes day files.

Diaries, 1907, 1933-1966
Includes diary of Mrs. E.H. Thomas (mother), Millarville, 
Alberta, 1907.

Memoirs, 1987
Interviews conducted by David Breen (7 sound tape cassettes).

Personal, 1956-1971
Includes St. George’s Anglican Church; Bickersteth Fund; St. 
Aidan’s College.

Professional, 1954-1974
Includes historical associations and conferences: Canadian 
Historical Association (CHA); Canadian Church Historical 
Association; Social Science Research Council of Canada; Historic 
Sites Advisory Committee; advisory committees on the development 
of archives; typescripts of papers prepared by Canadian 
historians at the CHA meeting, 1974, and submitted to Professor 
Thomas.

Publications, 1948-1973
Includes articles for encyclopedias; book reviews; notes and 
correspondence for the revised edition of W.L. Morton: History of 
the Canadian West.

Teaching, 1948-1972
Curriculum development; reading lists; examinations; students’ 
papers (including community histories, History 59, 1950-1952).

University of Alberta, 1965-1971
Includes committees on matriculation, naming of buildings, the 
Diamond Jubilee and the Library.

Access: Open