Every year, the University of Alberta confers honorary degrees to honour extraordinary achievement. This November, Dr Fred Van Goor will walk the stage to receive an Honorary Doctor of Science for a breakthrough in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. In addition to the official ceremony, he will be honoured with the acquisition of a rare book selected in his name. This book will become a permanent part of the Honorary Degree Books collection in Bruce Peel Special Collections, serving as a lasting tribute to his achievements.
Since 1987, librarians in Bruce Peel Special Collections have selected and purchased a diverse range of items—collectively known as “honorary degree books”—that both honour the recipient’s achievements and legacy, and enhance the library’s research collection. Although labelled as “books,” the holdings encompass a variety of formats beyond rare books, including artworks, print ephemera, and artists’ books, totalling nearly 500 items to date.
This year Robert Desmarais, the Head of Special Collections, chose a second edition of one of the earliest British herbals by John Gerarde (1545–1612) in honour of Van Goor’s breakthrough medical research. Early medical literature included highly sought-after books called herbals, which contained natural remedies for treating various ailments and diseases. This copy features a copper-engraved title page by John Payne with contemporary hand colouring, over 2,500 woodcut illustrations, and a half calf binding with marbled boards. Notably, it also contains pressed flowers loosely inserted between pages 860–861 and 1224–1225.
Curious to learn more about this fascinating collection? Spend some time browsing our digital exhibition, which describes each book and the person it honours. When you see something that interests you, email us to book an appointment. We’ll have it ready for you to view up close and experience in person.
Favourites from the Bruce Peel Special Collections staff
The WunderCabinet
Presented to Peggy Garritty in 2025 in honour of her contributions to education, culture, and community development in Alberta and beyond.
This artist’s book includes an amazing little curio cabinet full of tiny marvels. Created by Barbara Hodgson and Claudia Cohen, two talented book artists who collaborated with one of Canada’s most respected private presses, this is a special addition to the important collection of artists’ books housed in the Peel library. [N 7433.4 H695 A6 W85 2011]
Facsimile of the Illustrated Arctic News
Presented to Richard Smith in 2024 for his work in the field of search and rescue in Alberta.
The Illustrated Arctic News was printed aboard one of the ships sent to retrieve the Franklin expedition to the Northwest Passage. In imitation of The Illustrated London News, it included illustrations, letters, news, playbills, songs, and stories. It was republished in 1852 as a facsimile edition for a wider audience. This first edition copy was expertly restored by bookbinder Alexander J. McGuckin, who has worked on many volumes in the BPSC collection. [G 662 I42 1852 folio]
Star Light
Acquired in 2022 in honour of Lorne Gladu, founding chief executive officer of the Rupertsland Institute Métis Centre of Excellence.
Created in 2019 by Métis artist Pat Bruderer using the traditional Cree method of birch bark biting, this artwork was made by biting shapes into thin pieces of birch bark to form the desired image. This is the first birch bark biting piece acquired by Bruce Peel Special Collections, and it represents a fascinating new format for researchers to study and appreciate. [NB 249 B83 S73 2019]
Old Spookes’ Pass and Other Poems
Purchased to honour contemporary Canadian poet Alice Major in 2019.
Although Isabella Valancy Crawford (1850–87) is recognized today as a significant Canadian poet, this modest volume of poetry is the only one she published during her short lifetime. Sometimes described as the first book of poetry by a woman to be published in Canada, this charmingly bound first edition can be seen as a celebration of the talent and resolve of one of the greats among the foremothers of Canadian poetry. [PS 8455 R25 O44 1884]
Letter from H.R.H. Princess Louise to John D. Higinbotham
Presented to U of A alumnus, former professor, and provincial NDP party leader Raj Pannu in 2018.
This letter, dated September 13, 1924, was written by Her Royal Highness Princess Louise Caroline Alberta and addressed to John D. Higinbotham of Lethbridge, Alberta. In it, Princess Louise confirms that the Province of Alberta was named after her by her husband, the Marquis of Lorne, the then Governor General of Canada. The typescript letter includes a signed photograph of Princess Louise, and both items are housed in a custom portfolio with gilt lettering. [FC 3656 L888 1924]
An Essay on Crookedness, or Distortions of the Spine
This 2018 acquisition honours Brenda McLean, who was instrumental in creating a pioneering centre for spinal research and treatment at Vancouver General Hospital.
Philip Jones’s text on serious distortions of the spine is one of the earliest published works on the subject, and it includes five engraved plates illustrating distorted spines. Jones describes numerous cases of children and adults who have been healed by his treatment for spinal distortions. This copy of Jones’s book is bound in full calf and it includes an engraved portrait of the author. [RD 771 S3 J66 1788]
Bicycling for Ladies
Acquired to honour Canadian Olympic cyclist and speed skater Clara Hughes in 2014.
In this 1896 book, author Maria Ward explores many of the issues that arose for modern young women at a time when they were embracing more active lifestyles, specifically during the cycling craze of the late nineteenth century. This is a fine first edition of a rare and charmingly illustrated book that highlights an important time of change for women in sport and in society. [GV 1057 W25 1896]
The Many Lives of Miss Chatelaine
This unique artist’s book was commissioned for internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter k.d. lang in 2008. In his artist statement, book artist Douglas Beube refers to The Many Lives of Miss Chatelaine as a “metaphor and tribute to kd lang.” Through collage, sculpture, written text (using lists of birds and flowers from Alberta for example), lyrics from her songs, cut paper, stitching zippers, and text pages, the composite portrait both figuratively and literally unfolds in this one-of-a-kind book. [N 7433.4 B566 A6 M36 2008 folio]
Acquired to honour one of North America’s premier saxophonists, P.J. Perry, in 2007.
Henry Crowder was an African-American musician working in Paris who met Nancy Cunard in 1928. Crowder assisted Cunard at her small publishing house, the Hours Press. Cunard printed works by members of the modernist, surrealist, and dada movements, and was an inspiration for several notable authors of the period. This book includes poems written by Cunard and others, and set to music by Crowder. [M 1620 C95 1930 folio]
The North American Sylva
Presented to the Honourable Lois E. Hole, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta and Chancellor of the University of Alberta, in 2000.
This five-volume set by François André Michaux is the most complete work of its kind, and of unrivalled beauty, with 277 hand-coloured plates depicting the varying leaves of North American forest trees. A landmark set with exceptionally fresh and clean illustrations, it is of great value to botanists and lovers of the book arts. [QK 481 M622 1865 v.1-5]
This news article was authored by Sarah Severson, Digitization + Special Collections Librarian and staff at the Bruce Peel Special Collections Library.
This content is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Creative Commons licence.