Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Yorke Edwards fonds
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- textual record
- graphic material
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Fonds
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Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1938-2011 (Creation)
- Creator
- Edwards, Roger Yorke, 1924-
Physical description area
Physical description
1.7 m.textual material.-- 30 graphic items.
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Name of creator
Biographical history
Wildlife Biologist, Administrator, Writer – Yorke Edwards was born in Toronto in 1924. Edwards displayed an interest in wildlife biology at an early age. As a member of Royal Ontario Museum’s Intermediate Naturalists Club Edwards fostered his interest and made acquaintances who become lifelong professional colleague with a mutual interest in wildlife biology; these included Robert Bateman, Bruce Falls, Bristol Foster, and John Crosby.
Edwards studied forestry at the University of Toronto from 1944 to 1948. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry in 1948. In this period Edwards began to work on wildlife projects at the Royal Ontario Museum. While studying at the U of T, Edwards met University of British Columbia professor Ian McTaggart-Cowan. The encounter resulted in Edwards pursuing his graduate studies at UBC. He earned a Master’s degree in zoology and botany at UBC in 1950.
Edwards married Joan Thicke in 1951 and the same year he began a job with the BC Forest Service. During his work for this office he introduced the concept of nature interpretation in parks. The idea was a success. The Canadian Wildlife Service hired Edwards in 1967 to implement the concept in parks across Canada. Edwards became the Assistant Director of the Provincial Museum in 1972. He progressed to Director from 1974 to 1984.
Edwards was a passionate advocate for both museums and wildlife biology. His advocacy found expression in public service on museum boards and public bodies. From 1961 to 1963 Edwards was the President of the BC Museums Association. Edwards served on the executive of the Canadian Nature Federation, amongst others. His contribution resulted in several awards including the Canada Award for Outstanding Achievement. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of Canada and the Canadian Museums Association. Edwards wildlife interests also found expression in a prolific writing career. He wrote over 320 publications in his career.
Edwards passed away in Victoria in 2011.
Custodial history
Scope and content
Fonds consists of journals, notebooks, lecture notes, essays, professional correspondence, certificates and graphic material documenting the professional and private life of Yorke Edwards. The records are in loose chronological order based on the original order.
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None
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General note
Accession number(s): 2012.117.1, 2012.117