John William Dawson was a prominent Canadian geologist and paleontologist, born on April 1, 1820, in Pictou, Nova Scotia. He is best known for his work in the field of fossil plants and his contributions to the understanding of the Carboniferous period. Dawson's research helped to establish the significance of coal deposits in Canada, particularly in Nova Scotia. In addition to his scientific achievements, Dawson served as the principal of McGill University in Montreal from 1855 to 1893. He published numerous papers and books, including "A Handbook of the Fossil Flora of the Carboniferous Formation," which greatly influenced the study of paleobotany. Dawson passed away on November 19, 1899, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of geology.