Fonds consists of materials pertaining to John Murray Gibbon's personal life, his involvement with the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and the Skyline Hikers, and his career with the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. Includes manuscripts titled "Scot to Canadian: one of more than a million" by…
36 cm of textual records -- 3 sound recordings -- 185 photograph prints -- 3 negatives
History / Biographical
John Murray Gibbon, born in Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka) in 1875-1952, was a writer, historian, musician and Canadian Pacific Railway publicity agent at Montreal, Quebec. Gibbon attended the University of Aberdeen where he received a scholarship to attend Oxford, where he graduated with a BA in Literature. He also studied at the University of Göttingen, Germany, and received some musical training in London. Gibbon received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Université de Montréal in 1940.
Following writing and editing work for British journals, he was approached in 1907 by the Canadian Pacific Railway to work on their European publicity program. In 1913, he was appointed general publicity agent in Montreal. For thirty years he promoted Canadian culture and the CPR He was responsible for the inauguration of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies, Skyline Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies and Highland Gatherings.
Gibbon was a prolific author and in 1921 became the founding president of the Canadian Authors Association (CAA), which he co-founded with Stephen Leacock, Pelham Edgar and B.K. Sandwell. The CAA lobbied for the protection of authors’ rights and went on to establish the Governor General’s Literary Awards in 1936. Gibbon received the award, in the non-fiction category, for Canadian Mosaic: The Making of a Northern Nation (1938), in which he argued against the American idea of a “cultural melting pot” that encouraged immigrants to cut ties with their culture of origin and assimilate into a homogenous society. Canadian Mosaic greatly influenced Canada’s immigration policies and multicultural attitudes throughout the latter half of the 20th century, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of materials pertaining to John Murray Gibbon's personal life, his involvement with the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and the Skyline Hikers, and his career with the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. Includes manuscripts titled "Scot to Canadian: one of more than a million" by John Murray Gibbon (204 p.) and "John Murray Gibbon (1875-1952)" by Watson Kirkconnell; a letter from Gibbon to Francis Dickie concerning trail riding; published articles and obituaries; and a scrapbook pertaining to trips with the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies, Skyline Hikers, and views of landmarks throughout Canada.
Photographs pertain to John Murray Gibbon and activities, including Highland Gatherings and Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies trips; also Gibbon's funeral, 1952.
Pincoe, R., & Phillipson, D. (2015). John Murray Gibbon. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/john-murray-gibbon-emc
Title Source
Title based on accession records and contents of fonds
File consists of photographs relating to John Murray Gibbon's career with Canadian Pacific Railway Company, photographs are of scenes across Canada. Also included are photograph prints of John Murray Gibbon's book titles.
V226 / PA - 184 : John Murray Gibbon's house in Quenbec
File consists of photographs relating to John Murray Gibbon's career with Canadian Pacific Railway Company, photographs are of scenes across Canada. Also included are photograph prints of John Murray Gibbon's book titles.
V226 / PA - 184 : John Murray Gibbon's house in Quenbec
File consists of John Murray Gibbon's correspondence. Included is a letter regarding the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and Skyline Hikers from Phillip Gibbon
File consists of John Murray Gibbon's correspondence. Included is a letter regarding the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and Skyline Hikers from Phillip Gibbon
File consists of 3 sound recording records by the Record Canadian broadcast corporation recorded at Toronto.
S62 / 1: "Heritage of Song" Program # 4 R.P.M. 78. May 14 1941
S62 / 2: "Heritage of Song" Program # 6 R.P.M. 78. May 14 1941
S62 / 3: "Heritage of Song" Program # 7 R.P.M. 78. May 14 1941
File consists of 3 sound recording records by the Record Canadian broadcast corporation recorded at Toronto.
S62 / 1: "Heritage of Song" Program # 4 R.P.M. 78. May 14 1941
S62 / 2: "Heritage of Song" Program # 6 R.P.M. 78. May 14 1941
S62 / 3: "Heritage of Song" Program # 7 R.P.M. 78. May 14 1941
File consists of photographs of John Murray Gibbon's Family, John Murray Gibbon's funeral and burial in the Banff Cemetery, John Murray recieving recognition, John Murray Gibbon recieving welcome from the Stoney Nakoda,
File consists of photographs of John Murray Gibbon's Family, John Murray Gibbon's funeral and burial in the Banff Cemetery, John Murray recieving recognition, John Murray Gibbon recieving welcome from the Stoney Nakoda,
File consists of published literature by John Murray Gibbon:XXX
o The listening Post: Canadian Literature in the English Language 1923
o Aberdonian to Canadian by JM Gibbon Kings College 1891 – 1893
o Prince Charlie and Flora. A Ballad Opera Libretto 1929 (2 copies one annotated)
o Canada Chaps Boo…
File consists of published literature by John Murray Gibbon:XXX
o The listening Post: Canadian Literature in the English Language 1923
o Aberdonian to Canadian by JM Gibbon Kings College 1891 – 1893
o Prince Charlie and Flora. A Ballad Opera Libretto 1929 (2 copies one annotated)
o Canada Chaps Books “ No 1 A Canadian Calendar 1919
o If I were a young man entering advertising 1941
o The Man comes down from the moon musical playlet based on “Northland Songs”
o The Order of Good Cheer :reconstructed by 1929
o A secular Bible for a new Canada 1942
o The influence of music on meter 1929
o Onward, A paper for young Canadians, 1954 article about John Murray Gibbon by Elsie Pomeroy page 346
o Folk song and feudalism 1948
o Contributions of Austro German Music to Canadian Culture by 1949
o Tribute to a Nation Builder an appreciation of John Murray Gibbon published 1946
o “In the Forest”(written to the music of Tonus Peregrinus) By JMG a poem
o Proposed Continuity for talk on Provincial Hour
o Citation for Lorne Pierce Medal delivered at the Royal Society of Canada Meeting at Halifax by BK Sandwell in 1948
o A Poets Corner for Canada
o Shall we sing translations
o Poetry by way of Music
o Talk to Ottawa Branch Canadian Authors
o Chansons Populaires
o Not a book but typescript with edits Songwriting by John Murray Gibbon (Address to Poetry Panel C.A.A Banff
o Some Canadian Poets I have Known by john Murray Gibbon
o Words to Music
File consists of published music by John Murray Gibbon:
Fair in the Summer Tide, Sweet Nellie My Prairie Flower, Hymn of the New Canadian, Songsters of Spring, Along the Wide St.Lawerence, Scented Foam Bloom, The Mountain Stream, In My Cabin, Quebec, Down Vancouver Way, Meadow Lark, Canning Song, …
File consists of published music by John Murray Gibbon:
Fair in the Summer Tide, Sweet Nellie My Prairie Flower, Hymn of the New Canadian, Songsters of Spring, Along the Wide St.Lawerence, Scented Foam Bloom, The Mountain Stream, In My Cabin, Quebec, Down Vancouver Way, Meadow Lark, Canning Song, Envoyons D'Lavant Nos Gens, Send her On Along, The Order of Good Cheer, I Come and Ride the Trail, Song of an immigrant, Song of the Columbia River, Dance Song, Forget me Not, O' Lake O'Hara, XXX
File consists of 3 negatives, 1 of scouts posing for a portrait, a coat of arms, and a copy negative of a sheet of music titled "Song of the Columbia River"
3 photographs : b&w negatives ; 20.32 x 25.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 3 negatives, 1 of scouts posing for a portrait, a coat of arms, and a copy negative of a sheet of music titled "Song of the Columbia River"
File consists of newspaper clippings.
Subjects include: Obituary and memorials writings for John Murray Gibbon, retirement announcement, plaque unveiled at Banff Center for Arts in 1955 to honour John Murray, John Murray's 70th birthday, obituary of John Murray Gibbons wife, literary awards, bust o…
File consists of newspaper clippings.
Subjects include: Obituary and memorials writings for John Murray Gibbon, retirement announcement, plaque unveiled at Banff Center for Arts in 1955 to honour John Murray, John Murray's 70th birthday, obituary of John Murray Gibbons wife, literary awards, bust of John Murray Gibbon
File consists of newspaper clippings held in a book.
Subjects include: Retirement of William Duff Gibbon – John Murray Gibbons dad, newspaper from Ceylon news, sketch of a tombstone for the William Duff Gibbon's children, obituary of William Duff Gibbon, knighthood for WD Gibbon, newspaper clipping…
File consists of newspaper clippings held in a book.
Subjects include: Retirement of William Duff Gibbon – John Murray Gibbons dad, newspaper from Ceylon news, sketch of a tombstone for the William Duff Gibbon's children, obituary of William Duff Gibbon, knighthood for WD Gibbon, newspaper clippings of politics, letter regarding a portrait for William Duff Gibbon.
File consists of a scrapbook created by John Murray Gibbon. Includes photographs of Skyline Hikers and Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies. Also included are photographs of Algeria, Italy, Russia, Canadian landmarks, and Sri Lanka.
File consists of a scrapbook created by John Murray Gibbon. Includes photographs of Skyline Hikers and Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies. Also included are photographs of Algeria, Italy, Russia, Canadian landmarks, and Sri Lanka.
FIle pertains to photographs of Soapy Smith, pack trips, associates and clients, hunting, wildlife, Rafter Six Guest Ranch and scenic views.
Notes
IMAGES :
1. Youngest Trail Rider was five years old - rode pint sized saddle but full sized horse [identified as Michael Guinn]
2. Man identified as John Murray Gibbon presenting a Hundred Mile Button to a child identifed as Michael Guinn
3. First Ranch Rafter Six
4. S. Smith at his ranch
5. Unidentified
6. Road at Soapy Smith’s ranch
7. Rafter Six Ranch [Nov. 29, 1963]
8. [Missing?]
9. Soapy Smith on the Saskatchewan Glacier [1924]
10. DeMott [at horse’s head], Bill Bagley [behind horse], DeMott [pulling on rope]
11. [Unidentified men with horse]
12. [Unidentified men chopping wood]
13. From left to right: DeMott brothers, Soapy Smith, Johnny Muska
14. From left to right: Bill Bagley, DeMott brothers, Johnny Muska, Soapy Smith
15. [Horses]
16. Soapy Smith [at horse’s head], Bill Bagley [bent over horse], [unidentified man in background]
17. From left to right: Bill Bagley, DeMott, John Muska
18. [Unidentified men packing a horse] John Muska has arm raised
19. Johnny Muska [walking], C.M. DeMott, Soapy
20. [Pack train]
21. [Pack train]
22. DeMott
23. Alexandra River?
24. J. Muska
25. [Camp]
26. [Camp]
27. [Right] Soapy Smith and C.M. DeMott packing horse
28. [Unidentified mountain scene]
29. [Unidentified lake]
30. [Unidentified men packing a horse]
31. Dr. Athin? [behind horse], Bill Bagley
32. [Mountain goat]
33. DeMott
34. [Unidentified men packing horses]
35. [Unidentified man fishing]
36a & 36b DeMotts?
37. Pack train and saddle horses
38. [Horses]
39. [Unidentified river]
40. J. Muska, C. DeMott Jr.?
41. [Pack train crossing river]
42. [Unidentified mountain]
43. [Pack train in meadow]
44. [Pack horses]
45. [Pack horse]
46. [Unidentified mountain]
47. [Unidentified mountain]
48. [Camp]
49. Johnny [Muska]
50. [Pack horses fording river]
51. Soapy
52. Happy Valley – Head of the Valley of Evans-Thomas Creek
53. [Unidentified valley]
54. [Camp]
FIle pertains to photographs of Soapy Smith, pack trips, associates and clients, hunting, wildlife, Rafter Six Guest Ranch and scenic views.
Notes
IMAGES :
55. [Mountain goat]
56. [Unidentified mountain]
57. B. Bagley?
58. [Old burn forest]
59. [Unidentified mountain]
60. [Unidentified mountain]
61. J. Muska
62. [Pack train on road]
63. [View of Banff Ave and Cascade Mt. from Cascades of Time Gardens]
64. Deer on lakeside
65. [Cow Moose with calf]
66. [Unidentified mountain]
67. Hold em boys
68. Rock Mtn. Sheep – rams
69. Soapy Smith’s Rafter Six Guest Ranch
70. Camp horseshoeing equipment
71. Original bridge at Saskatchewan River Crossing
72. Rafter Six Guest Ranch of Soapy Smith
73. Rafter Six Guest Ranch of Soapy Smith
74. Rafter Six Guest Ranch of Soapy Smith [ca.1940]
75. Bow Lake
76. [Pack horse]
77. [Unidentified lake]
78. What the well dressed man will wear this season on the trail – J. Muska? And unidentified man
79. Smoke from the Jasper fire
80. Four moose
81. Deer
82. Rocky Mtn. sheep – rams
83. [Unidentified man sitting on slope]
84. [Unidentified man]
85. [Unidentified mountain]
86. [Horses at pasture]
87. Douglas Lake
88. Caribou
89. Four Moose
90. Caribou
91. Moose
92. [Unidentified mountain]
93. [Big horn sheep – rams]
94. Bull moose
95. [Unidentified mountain range]
96. Moose
97. Mountain goat
98. Banff Ave ca. 1925 [colour tinted]
99. [Unidentified men at camp]
100. J. Muska?
101. [Unidentified man with ram skull]
102. [Unidentified man at camp]
103. [Pack train in valley]
104. [Pack train in valley]
105. [Pack horses]
106. [Horses at pasture]
107. [Unidentified valley]
108. One of the DeMott family?
FIle pertains to photographs of Soapy Smith, pack trips, associates and clients, hunting, wildlife, Rafter Six Guest Ranch and scenic views.
Notes
IMAGES :
109. Soapy Smith [note on back reads: “Soapy I am sending you this not that the picture is any good but I know it will bring back happy memories of Buttercup and the Days of the [illegible] Brigade]
110. B. Bagley? Soapy Smith
111. Soapy Smith [with cigarette] C.M. DeMott [on right]
112. C.M. DeMott
113. Soapy Smith? Bill Bagley?
114. Camp scene – Soapy Smith on right
115. J. Muska?
116. J. Muska C. DeMott Jr.?
117. [Unidentified man and Bill Bagley?]
118. [Unidentified man and horses in tall grass]
119. [Bighorn sheep - ram]
120. The cook at work! Soapy Smith
121a & 121b Soapy Smith [in vest]
122. Soapy Smith
123. Soapy Smith
124. Soapy Smith directly in front of tent
125. Soapy Smith – right
126. [Rafter Six Guest Ranch of Soapy Smith]
127. [Rafter Six Guest Ranch of Soapy Smith]
128. [Cat climbing screen door]
129. [Camp]
130. Rocky Mtn. sheep (rams)
131. Campsite cooking area?
132. [Unidentified cabin]
133. [Fire warning sign]
134. [Unidentified man at river]
135. [Unidentified mountain]
136. [Unidentified man at river]
137. [Camp]
138. George Brown painting
139. [Horses at pasture]
140. In the good old days before being lost in the sea of matrimony – Ahem! Soapy Smith ca.1930?
141. Soapy Smith ca.1930?
142. The Browne’s New House. Marine County, California (Belmore Browne)
143. Mr. and Mrs. Browne with Spike
144. Evelyn Browne
145. Entrance to the Browne’s House
146. Bruce Air Dale
147. Cow moose and calf
148. [Bighorn sheep]
149. [Unidentified men on mountain slope]
150. [Unidentified mountain]
151. [Unidentified men in field]
152. [Pack train crossing a river]
153. Fording
154. Buck thought it was Saturday night
155. The pack train on the move, slow but sure
156. [Unidentified mountain and glacier]
157. “When the Day is Done” this is home
158. All in a day’s work
159. The Kananaskis Dam at Seebe
160. The Four Musty Steers – Soapy Smith, J. Muska?, DeMott?, DeMott?
161. [Unidentified mountain]
162. [Unidentified mountain lake]
163. [Unidentified mountain range]