The Beginnings of Canadian Meteorology

W.H. Pasika is a professor of chemistry at Laurentian University.

The establishment, in 1839, of Toronto’s Magnetic and Meteorological
Observatory started it all. The observatory’s main function was to
collect Canadian magnetic readings for scientific purposes and to assist
navigation. The activities of the founding personnel of the Royal
Artillery, the University of Toronto (which took over the observatory),
and G.T. Kingston (father of the Canadian Meteorological Services) are
documented here, as are the attempts to establish a network for
gathering meteorological data and the use of telegraphy for rapid relay
of weather information.

This book covers an approximately 40-year period (in the latter part of
the 19th century) with sufficient detail and in an interesting and
informative manner. Insight is gained into the personalities of the
individuals who were involved in the process that eventually produced a
weather service. History buffs and those directly involved with
meteorology will welcome the book, so should others.