Shirley Thomson
Encyclopedia
Dr. Shirley Lavinia Thomson, CC
, OOnt
(née Cull; February 19, 1930 – August 10, 2010) was a Canadian
civil servant.
Born in St Marys, Ontario, she received a B.A.
degree in history in 1952 from the University of Western Ontario
. In 1974 she received a M.A.
degree in art history from the University of Maryland, College Park
. In 1981 she received a Ph.D.
degree in art history from McGill University
.
From 1982 until 1985 she was Director of the McCord Museum
in Montreal
. From 1985 until 1987 she was Secretary-General of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO
. From 1987 until 1997 she was Director of the National Gallery of Canada
. From 1998 until 2002 she was Director of the Canada Council for the Arts. In 2003 she was appointed Chair of the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board.
Following her death her medals were donated to the St. Mary's Museum in St. Mary's, Ontario.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, OOnt
Order of Ontario
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
(née Cull; February 19, 1930 – August 10, 2010) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
civil servant.
Born in St Marys, Ontario, she received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in history in 1952 from the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
. In 1974 she received a M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in art history from the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
. In 1981 she received a Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degree in art history from McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
.
From 1982 until 1985 she was Director of the McCord Museum
McCord Museum
The McCord Museum is a public research and teaching museum dedicated to the preservation, study, diffusion, and appreciation of Canadian history...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. From 1985 until 1987 she was Secretary-General of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
. From 1987 until 1997 she was Director of the National Gallery of Canada
National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada , located in the capital city Ottawa, Ontario, is one of Canada's premier art galleries.The Gallery is now housed in a glass and granite building on Sussex Drive with a notable view of the Canadian Parliament buildings on Parliament Hill. The acclaimed structure was...
. From 1998 until 2002 she was Director of the Canada Council for the Arts. In 2003 she was appointed Chair of the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board.
Honours
- In 1993 she was made an Officer of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
and was promoted to Companion in 2001. - In 2002 she was made an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters. She had previously been a chevalier of the order.
- In 2003 she was awarded a Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa from Carleton UniversityCarleton UniversityCarleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
. - In 2005 she was awarded an Honorary Degree from University of British ColumbiaUniversity of British ColumbiaThe University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
. - In 2010 she was made a Member of the Order of OntarioOrder of OntarioThe Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
.
Following her death her medals were donated to the St. Mary's Museum in St. Mary's, Ontario.