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Thomas McIlwraith, businessman, ornithologist (b at Newton upon Ayr, Scot 25 Dec 1824; d at Hamilton, Ont 31 Jan 1903). He is best known for his 1886 treatise on Ontario birds (revised in 1894), the first major annotated provincial bird book in Canada.
McIlwraith, Thomas
Thomas McIlwraith, businessman, ornithologist (b at Newton upon Ayr, Scot 25 Dec 1824; d at Hamilton, Ont 31 Jan 1903). He is best known for his 1886 treatise on Ontario birds (revised in 1894), the first major annotated provincial bird book in Canada. McIlwraith came to Canada in 1853 and became a successful Hamilton businessman and alderman. He published several papers on birds in Canada West, and was credited with instructing wildlife artist Allan BROOKS and naturalist-writer Ernest Thompson SETON in the proper preparation of bird skins. He was one of 25 founders of the prestigious American Ornithologists' Union and served on its council. The name of the McIlwraith Field Naturalists of London, Ont, honours his memory.
