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Arctic Naturalist: The Life of Dewey Soper

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Dewey Soper was a Canadian naturalist, explorer, and conservationist who devoted his life to studying the Arctic. He was born in 1893 in Brockville, Ontario, and from a young age he was fascinated by the natural world. He began exploring the Arctic in 1914, and over the next four decades he made more than 50 expeditions to the region. Soper's work helped to increase our understanding of the Arctic ecosystem, and he was a tireless advocate for its conservation.

Arctic Naturalist: The Life of J. Dewey Soper

by Anthony Dalton

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Early life and education

Dewey Soper was born on January 22, 1893, in Brockville, Ontario. His parents were William Soper, a Methodist minister, and Mary Jane (née Dewey) Soper. Soper had two older sisters, Mabel and Grace. The family moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, when Soper was a young child. Soper's father died when he was 12 years old, and his mother raised him and his sisters as a single parent. Soper attended public schools in Winnipeg and graduated from high school in 1911. He then enrolled in the University of Manitoba, where he studied biology and geology. Soper graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1915 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Early expeditions

Soper's first expedition to the Arctic was in 1914, when he joined a geological survey team led by J.B. Tyrrell. The team traveled by boat from Hudson Bay to the mouth of the Coppermine River. Soper spent the next two summers exploring the Coppermine River region, and he collected a large number of specimens of plants, animals, and fossils. In 1917, Soper joined the Canadian Arctic Expedition, which was led by Vilhjalmur Stefansson. The expedition spent two years exploring the Beaufort Sea and the islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Soper's work on the expedition helped to increase our understanding of the Arctic ecosystem, and he collected a large number of specimens that are now housed in the Canadian Museum of Nature.

Later expeditions

After the Canadian Arctic Expedition, Soper continued to explore the Arctic on a regular basis. He made more than 50 expeditions to the region, and he traveled by boat, dog sled, and airplane. Soper's work helped to increase our understanding of the Arctic ecosystem, and he was a tireless advocate for its conservation. In 1927, Soper published his book "The Kingdom of the Seal," which was a popular account of his experiences in the Arctic. The book was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to raise awareness of the Arctic and its wildlife. Soper's other books include "The Birds of the Arctic" (1930),"The Mammals of the Arctic" (1931),and "The Wildlife of the Arctic" (1934).

Conservation work

Soper was a passionate advocate for the conservation of the Arctic. He was a member of the Canadian Wildlife Federation, and he served as its president from 1934 to 1936. Soper was also a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and he served as its president from 1948 to 1951. Soper's conservation work helped to protect the Arctic ecosystem from the threats of pollution, climate change, and habitat loss. He was a tireless advocate for the creation of national parks and wildlife refuges in the Arctic, and he helped to establish several protected areas, including the Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada and the Bering Sea National Wildlife Refuge in the United States.

Legacy

Dewey Soper was one of the most influential Arctic naturalists of the 20th century. His work helped to increase our understanding of the Arctic ecosystem, and he was a tireless advocate for its conservation. Soper's legacy lives on in the many protected areas that he helped to establish, and in the work of the organizations that he founded. He is remembered as a pioneer in the field of Arctic conservation, and his work continues to inspire people around the world.

Dewey Soper was a remarkable man who dedicated his life to exploring and conserving the Arctic. His work helped to increase our understanding of the region, and he was a tireless advocate for its protection. Soper's legacy lives on in the many protected areas that he helped to establish, and in the work of the organizations that he founded. He is an inspiration to us all, and his work continues to make a difference in the world.

Arctic Naturalist: The Life of J. Dewey Soper

by Anthony Dalton

4.6 out of 5