Walker, Frank Norman, 1892-
Frank Norman Walker fonds. – 1913-1966. – 60 cm of textual
records, graphic material and realia.
Frank Norman Walker was born in 1892 and graduated from medical school
at the University of Toronto in 1918. He was a member of the Toronto
Academy of Medicine and worked at the Toronto General Hospital. He published
widely in the field of medicine in Canadian and American journals. He
was awarded a McLaughlin Travelling Fellowship in 1964 and upon his
return to Canada was associated with the Department of Anaesthesia,
Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario. Besides being a doctor, Walker had
varied interests. He ran as a Liberal candidate for the riding of Woodbine
in the federal election of 1926. He was also a member of the Board of
Education for Toronto, and for twelve years was a member of its Library
Board, twice serving as Chairman. He was elected to offices in the Ontario,
Canadian and American Library Associations during the years 1945-1954.
As a historian Walker published several books on the topic of 19th
century engineering in Canada and the United States. In Daylight
through the mountains, which was published by the Engineering Institute
of Montreal in 1957, Walker documents the letters and works of engineer
brothers Walter and Francis Shanly. The book was co-authored by his
wife, Gladys Chantler Walker. Other published works are Four whistles
to wood-up; stories of the Northern Railway of Canada (1953) and
Sketches of old Toronto (1965), which concentrates on the personalities
and highlights of the city of Toronto in the period 1791-1851. The
Oxford Companion to Canadian History and Literature (1967) cites
Sketches of old Toronto in the bibliography under the entry for
“Toronto”. His date of death is unknown.
There have been two accruals. The first accrual (13-2009) consists of
a variety of materials documenting Walker’s professional career
and interests including medical correspondence, published off prints
and early sketches of a dissected rabbit (1913). There are also page
proofs and preparatory material on Daylight through the Mountains
(1957), political memorabilia and speeches. There is also general correspondence,
of which a highlight is a carbon copy of letter to Prime Minister Louis
St. Laurent dated August 27, 1951 proposing the building of a National
Library with a signed reply from St. Laurent dated August 31, 1951.
The second accrual (77-2009) consists of research materials gathered
and compiled by Walker on Frederic Newton Gisborne (1824-1892), an engineer
and inventor, for his proposed book, "Cables of Confederation".
There is also a copy of a letter to former premier, Joseph R. Smallwood,
1966; printing blocks; and spoons.
Title based on contents of the fonds.
Fonds was acquired from Morris Norman in 2009.
Finding aid is available as part of this description.
There are no access restrictions.
No further accruals are expected.
