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James Anderson, MD (54,55,56,57,59)
Dr. James Edward Anderson was born in
Perth, Ontario February 23, 1926. He received his MD from the University of
Toronto in 1953 and while doing his internship was appointed a lecturer in the
Department of Anatomy in 1956. His involvement in archaeological digs in
Ontario and teaching human osteology to pre-med students, led to his appointment
in 1958 as assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. He was
promoted to full professor in 1961.
During this time Prof. Anderson began training
human osteologists and physical anthropologists at the University of Toronto and
from 1963 to 1966 at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. In 1966
he returned to the University of Toronto to organize and direct its PhD
programme in physical anthropology. In 1967 he took on the additional
responsibility of organizing and directing the Department of Anatomy in the new
Faculty of Medicine at McMaster University. In 1969 he moved to Hamilton to
devote all his time to this new endeavour.
Professor Anderson took early retirement in
1985 because of ill health and died on February 4, 1995.1
At McMaster "The Anatomy Lab... was the
creation of the Department’s founding Chair, and one the founders of the
McMaster School of Medicine itself, Dr. James E. Anderson (1966-1975). The
Anatomy Lab that Dr. Anderson devised was so unique and important to the PBL
curriculum at the time as to be McMaster Medicine’s first “Homebase”. 2
At Haliburton Scout Reserve, Jim served as the
Camp Kennaway (composite) doctor from 1954-1957 (and possibly in 1958? and as
the Deputy Camp Director in 1959. He married camp nurse Helen Cruden
(54-57,59) before returning to camp in 1959.
¤
See also
an article on Jim by
F. Bruce Ryans (53-55,56).
Dear friends.
As a boy I was a member of the
152nd pack as a cub and later a scout. After being a patrol leader (skunk
patrol) I became a rover. The 152nd was located in East-South Toronto and was
based at Corpus Christie Church. Our "Skip" was (Dr.) Jim Anderson. If memory
serves me, as a cub and early scout Jim was still going to school to obtain
his degree when he was with the 152nd.
As a scout I have fond memories
of trips to Camp Kennabi for two week visits in the mid-1950's. We were towed
to our camp sites in "queens" by a motor boat. The trip was from Toronto "Leaside"
train station on a coach pulled by a steam locomotive with a long (hot) wait
at Lindsay for a locomotive change. From Lindsay we ventured to the town of
Haliburton. From there we were placed in the rear of yellow "war surplus" open
trucks and began a long winding trip on a rather precarious gravel road with
many sharp curves and steep hills. Then the tow to our site in the queens
which were , I believe ,large surplus naval lifeboats.
The trip was well worth it. The
lake water was still clean enough to drink and was quite cool to swim in. The
most enjoyable times were our trips by land party or canoe party through
places called Drag Lake, Grace Lake, the Beaver Pond, etc. through almost
virgin woodlands with the occasional trapper's cabin in various states of
condition. The land party once had the pleasure of drinking rank water
purified with Halezone tablets when we lost our bearings for a few hours.
I treasure my memories of Camp
Kennabi and thank God for our Skipper Dr. Jim Anderson. He had a great and
positive influence towards my character formation and I believe this also
applies to all members of the 152'nd.
Several years ago the troop had
a reunion which sadly to say I missed. If Dr. Jim is still here he must be in
his 80's. I am so sorry I never told him thank you for the wonderful years of
scouting and guidance not to mention the love he gave us. When one hits 70
years of age one does much reflecting on one's journey through their life. Dr.
Jim with his studies and workload always had time to give us his valuable time
and guidance through our most impressionable younger years.
Till we meet again, yours
sincerely,
Peter J. W. Kerr
References:
1.
University of Toronto Archives, James Edward Anderson Fonds;
http://content.library.utoronto.ca/utarms/researchers/Fonds/andersonjamesedward
2.
Educational Program in Anatomy - History of the Department, McMaster University;
http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/anatomy/history.html; viewed July 5, 2008
The Influence of James E. Anderson
on Canadian Physical Anthropology by Sonja M. Jerkic;
Published 02-May-2001 in Out of the Past: The History of Human
Osteology at the University of Toronto; Edited by Larry Sawchuk and Susan
Pfeiffer; Published by CITDPress, University of Toronto at Scarborough;
http://citdpress.utsc.utoronto.ca/osteology/pfeiffer.html;
Last modified: 30-October, 2001 |
