Marie Dorsey
Former Geographical Names Officer for Alberta, Canada, Marie Dorsey was born on December 28, 1915. An internationally recognized toponymist, Dorsey specialized in the place names of Alberta, Canada. As researcher at the City of Edmonton Archives, Dorsey compiled the first comprehensive inventory of over 100 Edmonton River Valley historic sites. She was also actively involved in the naming of many historic Canadian landmarks, including Raven River, Castle Mountain, Mt. Mitchener, and Mt. Lougheed. In addition to her many activities, Dorsey also served on the Historic Sites Board and the Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical Names. In recognition of her scholarly contributions to Alberta’s historical toponymy, she was awarded the Edmonton Historical Award, the Namedropper Award of the Friends of Geographic Names of Alberta, and the Historical Society of Alberta Annual Award. Marie Dorsey died on May 23, 2015, just months before reaching her 100th birthday. Her ashes will be laid to rest on June 20, 2015 in her beloved Canada. Place name scholars who wish to continue her legacy of Canadian toponymic research can explore her archives in the Provincial Archives of Alberta and Edmonton.