Clifford Symington Lord

Biography by Dave Nickerson

The building which houses the Northwest Territories Geoscience Office is named the C.S. Lord building, after Dr. Clifford Symington Lord.   Dr. Lord worked for almost his entire professional career with the Geological Survey of Canada, which he joined in 1937. Many of his earlier years were spent around Great Slave and Great Bear lakes, where he was involved in field mapping and the assessment of mineral deposits. He authored "Mineral Industry of District of Mackenzie, Northwest Territories", published in 1951 by the GSC and now recognised as a classic in its field. In 1954 he became Chief Geologist with the GSC, a position he held until ill health forced his early retirement in 1973. As Chief geologist he planned and coordinated the activities of the survey and is particularly remembered for a series of major field mapping operations across the arctic and sub-arctic. These include Operations Baker (1954), Thelon (1955), Franklin (1955), Mackenzie (1957), Coppermine (1959) and on to Southampton (1969). A million square miles of land, the geology of which had been virtually unknown, was subjected to a thorough program of scientific geological mapping. This work has provided the basis for scientific understanding of both mineral and hydrocarbon exploration in Northern Canada. Public service and the search for a deeper and broader knowledge of nature characterized Dr. Lord's contribution to our nation. Although he never sought publicity or acclaim he will long be remembered, especially by Northerners, for his dedication to the better understanding of the geology and mineral resources of Canada's northern reaches.