University of Alberta Museums Search

Amateur Botanist, photographer, author, teacher, honorary Doctor of Laws (University of Alberta 1956). McCalla’s passion for botany led him to collect specimens from Alberta, British Columbia, Montana, Washington, and California between 1896 and 1957. His 1899 expedition to Band result in the discovery of three “new” species which were banned for him, Salix Mccalliana, Primula Mccalliana, Aster Maccallae. The 1920 publication of the Wildflowers of Western Canada was provided to every school in Alberta free of charge with the intention of inspiring future generations. When the university acquired his collection in 1959, it consisted of 14, 000 mounted sheets, 730 photographic prints, and negatives.