About the Author

William Fergus Lothian, the author of this history, on March 31, 1981, completed nearly 64 years in the Public Service of Canada, much of it in Parks Canada. He fulfilled successively the duties of clerk, book-keeper, publicity assistant, publicity writer and administrator, ending his permanent service of 51 years as Assistant Chief of the National Parks Service.

Following his retirement in 1968, he accepted an invitation from his Director to compile a definitive history of national park development in Canada under contract. This volume, the fourth, completed the original assignment.

"Ferg" Lothian has had an active life. He has headed tennis and badminton governing bodies in the national capital; wrote a sports column for the Ottawa Journal for 17 years; and is an honorary life member of the Ottawa Tennis Club. He is a former director of the Historical Society of Ottawa, an emeritus member of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, and in 1978 was awarded the J.B. Harkin medal by the National Parks and Provincial Parks Association of Canada in recognition of his service and contribution to national park administration. He was 81 years old on June 16, 1981.