James White (geographer)

James White (1784 – May 3, 1862) was an Irish-Canadian geographer, cartographer, and civil servant. He is best known for his significant contributions to the mapping and surveying of Canada, particularly in the western provinces.

White was born in County Antrim, Ireland. He emigrated to Canada in the early 19th century and began his career as a surveyor. He joined the Department of the Interior in 1883, eventually rising to the position of Chief Geographer and Dominion Geographer of Canada.

During his tenure, White oversaw the production of numerous maps and geographic publications that were instrumental in the settlement and development of Western Canada. He played a crucial role in establishing the Geographic Board of Canada (now the Geographical Names Board of Canada) in 1897, an organization responsible for standardizing place names across the country. He served as its chairman for many years.

White was a strong advocate for conservation and resource management, and his work contributed to the establishment of national parks and the protection of natural resources. He retired in 1920 and died in Ottawa in 1962. His legacy lives on through his extensive body of work, which continues to be a valuable resource for understanding the historical geography of Canada.