Auditioning: the Right Man for the Job
The Geological Survey of Canada was very important to the future of the colony, so it needed exactly the right leader. If the Survey had written a job advertisement for the position, it might have looked something like this…
The Geological Survey of Canada is seeking a
Rock Star
Professional qualifications
- expert in geology
- has studied rocks in Britain and America
- has knowledge of Canadian rocks
- has knowledge of surveying and mapping
Personal qualifications
- a "gentleman"
- well known to British scientists
- born and raised in the Province of Canada but have had training in Britain
- able to spend up to six months of every year in the wilderness
- willing to eat what is available and to be eaten alive by biting insects
- able to work closely with Aboriginal peoples
If you are not afraid of hard work and wish to direct the work of the Geological Survey of Canada, make sure your supporters put in a good word for you with the governor general, Sir Charles Bagot. You will need four important geologists to give you a good reference. A decision will be made in April 1842.
Salary
Your salary will come from the £1,500 [$6,000] that has been set aside for this project.
Sir William Logan
Source
William E. Logan had everything the Province of Canada was looking for. The strong references he received helped him win the job as the first geological surveyor and director of the Geological Survey of Canada.
