Earl Godfrey

Earl Godfrey, dean of Canadian ornithologists, was the first recipient of OFO’s Distinguished Ornithologist Award in 1997.

In his early years, Earl studied under Robie Tufts in his home province of Nova Scotia and then with noted taxonomist Harry Oberholser in the United States. In 1947, he became Curator of Ornithology at the National Museum of Canada, later becoming Chief of the Division of Vertebrate Zoology.

Earl headed surveys across Canada that led to numerous National Museum publications. He published over 200 works during a career of more than 60 years, including papers on geographic variation, nomenclature, distribution, behaviour, plumages and molts. He served as ornithological editor for the Canadian Field-Naturalist. His classic book The Birds of Canada, published 1966 and updated in 1986, sold over 250,000 copies.

Earl’s enthusiastic encouragement of others, in particular young birders who visited him at the museum, played a large role in launching the careers of many natural science specialists throughout Canada. Earl retired in 1977 and remained active as Curator Emeritus. He was a valuable resource to the editors of Ontario Birds and OFO News. Earl passed away in Ottawa at the age of 92 on 8 June 2002.