This is an occasional award by which the Society acknowledges excellence in contributions to maritime history across the broad range of such activity. It is applicable to individuals or institutions such as museums, archives or educational organizations. There is no cash value associated with the award.
W.A.B. ‘Alec’ Douglas is a scholar-sailor of international stature. Building on a career as a sea-going officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, he was Director (1973-1993) and then the Director General (1993-94), of the Directorate of History, National Defence Headquarters (Canada). He was a founding member of the CNRS. The re-naming of the CNRS Merit Award is very much in spirit with his leadership in the promotion of Canadian maritime history at home and abroad.
Award Criteria:
- Primary consideration will be given to Canadian individuals and institutions.
- In the case of museum exhibitions, the display may be shown outside the country, but it must have a Canadian maritime focus.
- Foreign individuals, archives or institutions contributing to the preservation of Canadian nautical heritage are also eligible for this award.
- Individual awards may recognize lifetime contributions to Canadian nautical research by Canadian or foreign researchers or curators.
- Members of CNRS, with the exception of members of the Committee, may self-nominate for this award.
- Submissions must be in the hands of the Committee by 31 March of the presentation year.
Terms of Reference:
- The Chair of the Awards Committee will solicit nominations for the Award through the Society’s publications Argonauta, the Northern Mariner/Le Marin du Nord or on the web.
- Nominations will be reviewed by Council in advance of final selection.
- Once selected, candidates will be advised immediately of their award by the Chair of the Awards Committee.
- Formal announcement of the Award will be made at the Society’s AGM.
- Costs incurred for a certificate for the Award will be authorized by the Treasurer.
- The Chair of the Awards Committee will report to Council on the activities of the Committee and to the Society’s membership at the AGM.
Winners of the Alec Douglas Award for Contributions to Maritime History
2025: Paul Adamthwaite and Betty Ann Anderson for their role in founding the Naval Marine Archive: The Canadian Collection, their service to this Society, and their direction of the Canadian Society of Marine Artists.
2021: William Glover for his role as editor of the Society’s journal, Northern Mariner/Le Marin Du Nord, for two five-year terms, from July 2001 to April 2006 and July 2015 to December 2020.
2020: Isabel Campbell and Colleen McKee co-editors for Argonauta the Society’s bulletin, from Spring 2010 to Spring 2020.
2002: Lewis “Skip” Fischer, Co-founded and served as editor of the journal, Northern Mariner/Le Marin Du Nord, from the first issue in January 1991 to January 2001.
2002: Olaf U. Janzen, Co-founded and co-editor of the journal, Northern Mariner/Le Marin Du Nord, and Book Review Editor from 1991 to 2000.