MSS SC 8

Title: George R. Pratt fonds

Dates: 1949-1962

Extent: 29 cm of textual records

Biographical Sketch: George Robert Pratt was born in London, England in 1876. Trained as an engineer, he worked with steam power plants and mechanical equipment. In 1904 he moved to Western Canada and was employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway first as the supervisor of the locomotive works in Western Shops until 1911 and then as a Mechanical Engineer for Western Lines. In 1921 he began working as the Fuel and Publicity Engineer for the Government of Alberta. Between 1923 and 1926 he was employed in Athabasca, experimenting with asphalt for roads. Until 1935 he was employed with an engineering firm in Montreal and worked as a consulting engineer until 1940. During the Second World War he inspected airplane parts in Winnipeg. Upon retirement in 1946, Pratt devoted himself to writing and sketching. As a member of the Winnipeg Sketch Club and the St. James Art Club he showed and sold his paintings throughout Winnipeg. He worked on the book Creation for almost thirty years until his eyesight failed. Pratt died on May 2, 1977 in Winnipeg.

Scope and Content: The fonds consists of one typescript text entitled, Creation: the story of the creation of the physical universe (part 1) and mankind the being (part 2) over the past ten thousand years. The text is partly in carbon copy including author's manuscript annotations, and explanation of colour plates. Fourteen colour photographs of Pratt's original paintings, which illustrate his interpretation of the creation of the physical universe, are included in text.

Source of Supplied Title: Title based on provenance of fonds.

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on this material.

Finding Aid: Finding aid is currently unavailable.