Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

William Arthur Parks 1868-1936

Photos by Alan L Brown - May 2010

After being in storage for 5 years during the ROM's recent reconstruction, this plaque was re-erected in October 2009 in front of the museum's Queen's Park side, south of the original entrance. Here's what the Ontario Heritage Trust plaque says:

The first Director of the Royal Ontario Museum of Palaeontology, Parks was born in Hamilton and educated at the University of Toronto, from which he received a Doctorate in 1900. Initially known as an expert on "stromatoporoids", a unique group of invertebrate fossils, he later turned his attention to the study of vertebrate palaeontology. The expeditions Parks organized to the Canadian and American West between 1918 and 1935 provided most of the material for the Museum's extensive world-recognized dinosaur collection. As Professor and, from 1922-35, Head of Geology Department at the University of Toronto he taught geology and palaeontology and produced many publications, notable among them being his authoritative five-volume guide, "The Building and Ornamental Stones of Canada".

Related Toronto plaque page
Charles Trick Currelly 1876-1957

Plaque Location Co-ordinates: N 43 40.049 W 79 23.633

More Education pages

Here are the comments for this page.

(none yet)

Here's where you can write a comment for this page.

Note: If you wish to ask me a question, please use the email link in the menu.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours
(usually much sooner).