Claude Mélançon
Claude Mélançon | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1895 |
| Died | 1973 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Awards | honorary doctorate (UdeM), Pierre-Chauveau Medal, medal of Royal Society of Canada, recipient of Academic Palms, named an Officer of Order of Canada and toponymy Claude-Mélançon Ecological Reserve |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Natural sciences |
| Notable students | Natural sciences vulgarization |
Claude Mélançon (1895-1973) was a Canadian naturalist who worked in the popularization of natural sciences. He is recognized as a Quebec pioneer in the popularization of science.[1] Mélançon was very prolific as naturalist, lecturer and author (novelist and journalist). He was very active in many circles interested in natural sciences.
Career
Claude Mélançon collaborated in the work of several scientific societies. He was notably a member of the Canadian Society of Natural History (in French: Société canadienne d'histoire naturelle), Provancher Society (in French: Société Provancher) and the Zoological Society of Quebec (in French: Société zoologique de Québec).[2] Mélançon was member of the Royal Society of Canada, he became President of its French Section.[3]
Mélançon was a journalist at La Presse (1918-1923). He also work as censor and associate director of the Wartime Information Service (1939-1940). He was Director of External Relations for the National Railways until 1956.[3]
Main published works
His main works, several times republished, are entitled:
- Par terre et par eau (By land and by water); 25 editions published between 1900 and 1956 in French;
- Inconnus et méconnus (sur les amphibiens et reptiles) (Unknown and misunderstood (on amphibians and reptiles)); 10 editions published between 1950 and 1996 in French;
- Nos animaux chez eux (portant sur les mammifères) (Our animals at home (on mammals)); 29 editions published between 1934 and 1988 in French;
- Charmants voisins (portant sur les oiseaux) (Charming Neighbors (covering birds)); 32 editions published between 1940 and 2006 in 3 languages;
- Les poissons de nos eaux (Fishes in our waters); 30 editions published between 1936 ans 2006 in French.[1]
- Indian Legends of Canada; 25 editions published between 1967 and 1986 in French and English;
- Percé et les oiseaux de l'Ile Bonaventure; 14 editions published between 1963 and 1974;
- Mon alphabet des villes du Canada; 2 editions published in 1944 in French;
- Mon alphabet des villes du Québec; 2 editions published in 1944 in French.[4]
Main Awards
Mélançon received an honorary doctorate from the University of Montreal in 1955.[3][5]
In 1957, Mélançon was the recipient of the Pierre-Chauveau Medal, a medal awarded since 1951 by the Royal Society of Canada for outstanding contribution to the human sciences. He was also the recipient of the Academic Palms (1930) and the "Prix David du Québec" (1934). In 1969, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada.[3]
Toponyms "Claude Mélançon"
Created in 1988, the Claude-Mélançon Ecological Reserve have been named in recognition of his great contribution in the public sphere to the popularization of the natural sciences.[1][6]
In 2005, the city of Montreal adopted the toponymic designation "Parc Claude-Mélançon" in his memory. This relaxation park is located on rue Saint-Christophe in the borough of Ville-Marie.[3]
In 2012, a recreative park in the city of Boucherville has been named in his name in recognition of his public life's work. This park is located at the 1130 des Fauvettes street.[2]
Notes and references
- ^ a b c Commission de Toponymie Québec - Réserve écologique Claude-Mélançon (in French)
- ^ a b Official website of City of Boucherville - Parc Claude-Mélançon.
- ^ a b c d e Site officiel de la Ville de Montréal - Parc Claude-Mélançon.
- ^ Worldcat.org - List of Claude Mélançon published books]
- ^ Order of Canada - Appointment of Claude Mélançon as Officer of the Order of Canada
- ^ Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques - Réserve écologique Claude-Mélançon.
