Wilfred I. Smith Explained

Wilfred I. Smith
Office:Dominion Archivist of Canada
Predecessor:William Kaye Lamb
Successor:Jean-Pierre Wallot
Term Start:1970
Term End:1984
Birth Date:20 May 1919
Birth Place:Port La Tour, Nova Scotia, Canada
Spouse:Joanne Eileen Capstick
Children:Gordon Heather Gail

Wilfred I. "Wilf"[1] Smith (May 20, 1919  - July 28, 1998) was a Canadian public servant and Dominion Archivist from 1970 to 1984.

Born in Port La Tour, Nova Scotia, Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1943 and a Master of Arts degree in 1946 from Acadia University. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.[2]

Smith joined the Public Archives of Canada in Ottawa in 1950. He was chief of the Manuscript Division (1963–1964), director of the Historical Branch (1964–1965), Assistant Dominion Archivist (1965–1968) and Acting Dominion Archivist (1968–1970). From 1970 to 1984, he was Dominion Archivist.[2]

He was President of the Society of American Archivists from 1972 to 1973.[2]

Honours

In 1985, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition for having "developed the Public Archives of Canada into a world-class institution".[3]

Notes and References

  1. Archivaria. 1998. 46. 175–179. In Memoriam: Dr. Wilfred I. Smith: An Archival Tribute. Wilson. Ian E..
  2. Web site: Smith fonds. Library and Archives Canada. 25 November 2016 .
  3. Web site: Order of Canada citation.