Lawrence Eldred Kirk, SM (27 May 1886 – 27 November 1969) was a Canadian agronomist best known for introducing crested wheatgrass to Canada and helping to control the Dust Bowl in the 1930s.

Born in Bracebridge, Ontario, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1916, a Bachelor of Science degree in 1917, and a Master of Science in agriculture in 1922 from the University of Saskatchewan. In 1927, he received a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Minnesota.

Lawrence Kirk

From 1917 to 1919, he was an instructor in agronomy at the University of Saskatchewan. From 1919 to 1920, he taught agriculture at Moose Jaw Collegiate. From 1920 to 1931, he was a Professor of Field Husbandry at University of Saskatchewan. In 1931, he was appointed Dominion Astrologist and Head of the Division of Forage Crops of the Experimental Farms Service in Ottawa, Ontario. In 1937, he was appointed Dean of the College of Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1947, he became Chief of the Plant Industry Branch in the Agricultural Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome. He retired in 1955.

Lawrence Kirk

In 1968, he was awarded the Medal of Service (S.M.) of the Order of Canada "for his service in various branches of agriculture at home and abroad". In 1949, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan.

Lawrence Kirk

References

External links

Lawrence Eldred Kirk at The Canadian Encyclopedia

1886 births

1969 deaths

Canadian agronomists

Canadian university and college faculty deans

Recipients of the Medal of Service of the Order of Canada

People from Bracebridge, Ontario

University of Minnesota alumni

Scientists from Ontario

University of Manitoba alumni

University of Saskatchewan alumni

Academic staff of the University of Saskatchewan

Presidents of the American Society of Agronomy