Sous-fonds SF122 - Lorne and Edith Pierce collection. Charles Camsell sous-fonds

Charles Camsell (February 8, 1876 – 1958) was a Canadian geologist and Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from December 3, 1936 to December 3, 1946. Born in 1876 in Fort Liard, Northwest Territories, he was the son of a Hudson's Bay Company employee. In 1894, he earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Manitoba. Following graduation, he returned to the north where he and his brother set out to stake a claim in the Yukon. It was at this time that he developed an interest in geology and exploration and proceeded to study geology and mineralogy at Queen's University. He also did mineral exploration for several companies and took graduate degree courses at two other universities.
Camsell had a long and outstanding career with the Public Service of Canada commencing in 1904. In 1920, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Mines and, in 1936, Deputy Minister of Mines and Resources. He retired from the Public Service of Canada in 1946 at the age of 70 and published his autobriography in 1954.