Fonds consists of the personal records of Gilean Douglas which were produced and received during her personal and literary activities. There is some material dating from Douglas's early life, but the bulk of it dates from 1948 to 1993 and directly concerns her life on Cortes Island. Because of Douglas's involvement in the public life of the island, and her interest in local history, her papers contain a great deal of information about the political, community and social life of Cortes Island, particularly the Whaletown area. Fonds is composed of eighteen series: Manuscripts; Correspondence; Literary Records; Regional Director for Area I (Cortes Island); Women's Institute; Women's Auxiliary of the Anglican Church; School District #72; Whaletown Community Club; Channel Rock; Research; "The Log" of the Columbia Coast Mission; Journals and Notebooks; Illustrations and Sketches; Ephemera; Clippings; Maps; Albums; Photographs.
1.9 m of textual records; ca. 2,352 photographic records (1147 prints : b&w and col. - ca. 560 negatives : b&w and col. negatives ; 35 mm and 14 x 11 cm or smaller - 645 slides : col. slides ; 35 mm); 1 cm of graphic material; 8 maps.
Extent
1.9
History / Biographical
Gilean Douglas was born in Toronto, Ont. In 1900. Orphaned at the age of 16, she began to work as a free-lance writer and photographer. Over her lifetime her work appeared in more than 200 publications, often published under pseudonyms (Grant Madison, Armoral Kent and Jill MacLean). Douglas published eight books of poetry and three books of non-fiction, and, from 1961 to 1992, wrote a regular column, “Nature Rambles”, for the Victoria Times-Colonist.
In 1939, following the collapse of her third marriage, Douglas moved from Ontario to an isolated cabin in the mountains near Hope, B.C. Her first two books of nature writing (one published under the name Grant Madison) document her life there. Her cabin was destroyed by fire in 1947 and two years later she moved to a 138-acre waterfront homestead on Cortes Island with her fourth husband, Philip Douglas, (née Major). Her marriage ended in 1953, but she remained there until her death in 1993. Her home at Channel Rock was isolated, with no road access and no electricity. Douglas had a large garden, and supplemented her writing income by selling produce and plants. She was a volunteer Weather Observer for Environment Canada for 33 years, receiving several awards for her service. Starting in the 1960s, her writing centered increasingly on her life at Channel Rock. Her "Nature Rambles" columns and book "The Protected Place" reflect her life on the island.
During her years on Cortes Island, Douglas took a leading role in community affairs and local politics. She held office in several community organizations and acted as a school trustee. As a member of the Women's Institute, she held local, district, provincial and national office, edited a book on its history, and was awarded a Life Membership in 1989. Douglas was a member of the first Cortes Island Advisory Planning Commission and represented Cortes on the Regional Board of Comox-Strathcona as Alternate Director from 1968 to 1973 and as Director from 1973 until 1977.
List of Book Publications:
1952 Now the Green Word (Wings Press, Mill Valley, Ca.)
1953 Poetic Plush (The Story Book Press, Dallas, Texas)
1953 River For My Sidewalk (by “Grant Madison”; J. M. Dent & Sons, Toronto, Ont.)
1954 The Pattern Set (Quality Press, Montreal, Quebec)
1959 Modern Pioneers (a history of the Women's Institute, ed. by Douglas; Evergreen Press)
1967 Seascape With Figures (Prairie Press, Iowa City, Iowa)
1973 Now In This Night (Harlo Press, Detroit, Mi.)
1978 Silence Is My Homeland (Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa.)
1979 The Protected Place (Gray’s Publishing, Sidney, B.C.)
1982 Prodigal (Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, B.C.)
1984 River For My Sidewalk (by Gilean Douglas; Sono Nis Press)
1985 Kodachromes at Midday (Sono Nis Press)
1992 Seascape With Figures - Poems Selected and New (Sono Nis Press)
Custodial History
Upon Douglas’ death in 1993 her papers were gathered from her house by her literary executor, Gillian Milton. Douglas’ will directed that her papers and photographs be turned over to the University of British Columbia (Douglas’ primary beneficiary), after being examined and used for literary purposes including publication or biography. Accordingly, Milton inventoried the records, and with Andrea Lebowitz made use of them for a biography and anthology of the writings of Douglas, "Gilean Douglas: Writing Nature, Finding Home" (Lebowitz and Milton, Sono Nis Press, 1999). The textual records were turned over to University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections in December 1999; the photographic records in 2002. By agreement with UBC, the records and photographs which have to do primarily with Cortes Island were turned over to the Cortes Island Museum and Archives Society (Manson's Landing, B.C.) in 1999.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the personal records of Gilean Douglas which were produced and received during her personal and literary activities. There is some material dating from Douglas's early life, but the bulk of it dates from 1948 to 1993 and directly concerns her life on Cortes Island. Because of Douglas's involvement in the public life of the island, and her interest in local history, her papers contain a great deal of information about the political, community and social life of Cortes Island, particularly the Whaletown area. Fonds is composed of eighteen series: Manuscripts; Correspondence; Literary Records; Regional Director for Area I (Cortes Island); Women's Institute; Women's Auxiliary of the Anglican Church; School District #72; Whaletown Community Club; Channel Rock; Research; "The Log" of the Columbia Coast Mission; Journals and Notebooks; Illustrations and Sketches; Ephemera; Clippings; Maps; Albums; Photographs.
Gilean Douglas fonds at the University of British Columbia Library (Special Collections)
Cortes Island Ratepayers Association fonds
Gorge Harbour Community Hall fonds
Whaletown Community Club fonds
Whaletown Women's Institute fonds
Regional Director of Electoral Area I (Cortes Island) fonds
Copyright
Copyright for Douglas's published writings is held by the University of British Columbia. Permission to use Douglas's manuscripts for publication purposes must be obtained from the University of British Columbia or from Gillian Milton, literary executor for the estate of Gilean Douglas.
Arrangement
Wherever possible, Douglas’ system of arrangement has been retained, and original groupings of material have been maintained. Other material has been arranged according to type.
"Mr. Hague in his row boat on Hague Lake. He was very fond of fishing. His boat house is on shore just right of centre of picture." (from May Ellingsen Historic Photographs: Album 2, p. 20) (Also in collection as 2007.001.722; digitized)
"Mr. Hague in his row boat on Hague Lake. He was very fond of fishing. His boat house is on shore just right of centre of picture." (from May Ellingsen Historic Photographs: Album 2, p. 20) (Also in collection as 2007.001.722; digitized)
"This shows the main road between Hague Lake and the Hague home property. Walking along the road are Mabel Lowe (L) and grandmother Mrs. Hague. The road had just been put in where there was only a trail before." (from May Ellingsen Historic Photographs: Album 2, p. 17) (Also in collection as 2007.001.723; digitized.)
"This shows the main road between Hague Lake and the Hague home property. Walking along the road are Mabel Lowe (L) and grandmother Mrs. Hague. The road had just been put in where there was only a trail before." (from May Ellingsen Historic Photographs: Album 2, p. 17) (Also in collection as 2007.001.723; digitized.)
Back, L to R: Mrs. J. Nixon, Mrs. R. McLennan, Mrs. Margaret Manson
Middle, L to R: Rose Manson, Anna Manson, Mrs. H. Hague
Front, L to R: Mabel Lowe, Nicol Manson, Eleanor Hague, Jack Manson
Description taken from May Elllingsen Historic Photograph Album p. 75. Although identified on the back as "taken at John Manson's farm", this was taken at the Nixon home on Twin Island.
Back, L to R: Mrs. J. Nixon, Mrs. R. McLennan, Mrs. Margaret Manson
Middle, L to R: Rose Manson, Anna Manson, Mrs. H. Hague
Front, L to R: Mabel Lowe, Nicol Manson, Eleanor Hague, Jack Manson
Description taken from May Elllingsen Historic Photograph Album p. 75. Although identified on the back as "taken at John Manson's farm", this was taken at the Nixon home on Twin Island.
Back of photo reads "Frank Heay. Grannie Hague's brother. Born Nebraska, died Vanc BC. Lived on Gambier Island." And also; "William Alexander Lowe, b. Dumfarline Mar 2, 1864, died London April 21, 1911."
Back of photo reads "Frank Heay. Grannie Hague's brother. Born Nebraska, died Vanc BC. Lived on Gambier Island." And also; "William Alexander Lowe, b. Dumfarline Mar 2, 1864, died London April 21, 1911."
Two men standing beside a car in the valley at Knight Inlet. Logging camp buildings may be seen in the background. This is a near-duplicate of 1999.001.1053.
One of a series of photographs taken at Clarence and Doug Boardman's Dot Logging Co. camp in Knight Inlet.
2 photograph prints: b&w ; 18 x 12 cm & 21.5 x 16.5
Scope and Content
Two men standing beside a car in the valley at Knight Inlet. Logging camp buildings may be seen in the background. This is a near-duplicate of 1999.001.1053.
One of a series of photographs taken at Clarence and Doug Boardman's Dot Logging Co. camp in Knight Inlet.
