A few days ago, I posted a photo of a building on the Nanaimo waterfront, and asked What’s the Gabriola connection? I wondered if any of you would know. (I am starting to think that readers of this blog know everything – at least about Gabriola!)

Andrea posted the answer. She wrote: The first director of the Pacific Biological Station was also an entomologist who described and named the Gabriola moth, 100 or so years ago.

The man Andrea is talking about is the Reverend George Taylor (1854-1912). He was a marine biologist, an entomologist, and an Anglican minister. I’ve been reading about George in Hub City: Nanaimo, 1886-1920. According to the book, Rev Taylor was given 100 acres on the north end of Gabriola (well, he paid a dollar for it) in about 1896; his land included Gabriola Sands, which we often call Twin Beaches. Taylor Bay Road must be named after George.

Anyway. George served the Anglican parish on Gabriola. Hub City says he combed the beaches and coves of Gabriola Island, documenting information and collecting specimens. His meticulous records, notes, and writings won the admiration of marine scientists around the world. George wrote to the Canadian government and lobbied for a biological station. His efforts paid off, and he got the funding he wanted. George built the Pacific Biological Station in 1907, and became the station’s first curator when it opened.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has more about George on their History of Pacific Biological Station page.

Tags: