Paul H.T. Thorlakson fonds, 1895-1990

MSS 68, PC 84, TC 63

7.5 m of textual records and other materials

Dr. Thorlakson was born in North Dakota but grew up in Selkirk, Manitoba. Following overseas service as a medical sergeant during World War I, he received his medical degree from the University of Manitoba in 1919. After practicing at Shoal Lake, Manitoba, and after undertaking post-graduate training in surgery in London and in Europe, Dr.Thorlakson entered group practice in Winnipeg in 1926. He was president and founder of the Winnipeg Clinic in 1938 and served as surgeon-in-chief at the Winnipeg General Hospital and professor of surgery at the University of Manitoba. He received an honourary doctor of laws degree from the University of Manitoba in 1952. In addition to his service in may other provincial and local organizations, he was also involved in a number of Icelandic organizations. Dr. Thorlakson was the first president of the Manitoba Institute for the Advancement of Medical Education and Research and also served as president of the Manitoba Council on Education. He is the author of more than seventy medical research papers. In 1952 he was president of the National Cancer Institute of Canada and in 1969 he was elected Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg, a position he held for nine years before retiring at eighty-two years of age.

Donated by Dr. Paul H. T. Thorlakson, 1987

The collection contains biographical records, medical and community activity records, material created by the offices of the First International Congress on Group Medicine and the Canada Icelandic Continental Conference, photographs, slides, and tapes. The biographical records document Dr. Thorlakson's early life and family history. Included are personal papers of his father, Rev. N.S. Thorlakson, and of his uncle, Rev. Paul Thorlakson, as well as three biographical manuscripts (two unpublished) by Dr. George Houser, Dr. Ross Mitchell, and T.A.J. Cunnings. Among his medical career papers are those pertaining to the organization, development, and administration of the Winnipeg Clinic and Manitoba Medical Centre (Health Sciences Centre). Also included are his scholarly papers, speeches, remarks, addresses, and presentations and records of his various duties as Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg. Photographs and slides are primarily associated with Dr. Thorlakson's scholarly presentations and personal history. The tapes are, for the most part, audio recordings of his presentations on medical subjects. This fonds includes 653 photographs; 9 audiocassettes; 6 audio reels; 1 phonograph records; 2 video cassettes

Open to all researchers

No further accruals are expected

Finding aid available