Kirk, Lawrence E. (1886-1969)

A distinguished agrologist whose selfless dedication improved Farming and farm living, Lawrence E. Kirk was born on May 27, 1886, near Bracebridge, Ontario. Having settled with his family in Saskatchewan in 1902, Kirk was educated at the University of Saskatchewan where he received his BA, BSc, and MSc between 1916 and 1922. Granted his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Minnesota in 1927, he later held various teaching positions until 1931 when he became Dominion Agrologist in Ottawa. In 1937, Kirk returned to the University of Saskatchewan as Dean of the College of Agriculture. A decade later, he accepted the position of head of the Plant Industry Branch of the Agricultural Division, United Nations, and moved to Rome where he remained until his retirement in 1955. Lawrence Kirk's numerous honours include Fellowships in the Royal Society of Canada and the Agricultural Institute of Canada, an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan, and the Medal of Service of the Order of Canada in 1968. He died on November 28, 1969.

Canadian Plains Research Center