Material Type

Photograph

Date Range

[1923-1988]

Physical Description

12 12.7 x 17.8 cm. Black and white copy photographs

Physical Condition

Excellent

History Biographical

Alastair A. Johnston was born at Webb, Saskatchewan on 26 January 1920. During his life he was known as Alexander or, more commonly, Alex. Alex's parents were Alexander (Ike) Johnston and Mary Robb Johnston (nee Harper). Both were immigrants from Wick, Caithness, Sscotland. They were married in 1918 and lived on the homestead Ike taken out in 1909, 11 miles southeast of Webb, Saskatchewan. Alex had two sisters: Isobel (Nettie) was born in 1921 and Marjorie in 1925. The Johnston family lived on their homestead until 1924, when they moved to swift current. In 1929 they moved back to the farm. Ike Johnston developed multiple sclerosis at this time, and the family was forced to move into Webb in 1931. Ike Johnston died in 1939. Mary Johnston died at Port Hope, Ontario in 1969. Isobel, a chemist, married David Basham of Westbank, British Columbia. She died in 1965. Marjorie married and later divorced James Poynton of Port Hope, Ontario. She continues to reside there. In 1941 Alex Johnston completed his bachelor of science in agriculture (BSA) degree at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. In 1954, he earned his master of science degree at the University of Montana in Bozemen. Immediately after he received his BSA Alex enlisted in the Canadian Army and served overseas during World War 2. In 1946 he returned to Canada to a job as a research officer with the Lethbridge Research Centre. Alex was seconded to the United Nations Food and Agriculture from 1961 to 1962, and worked in Pakistan as an agricultural officer in range improvement. Apart from that brief time, Alex worked as a range management specialist at the Lethbridge Research Centre until he retired in 1980. During his life Alex authored and co-authored 215 scientific and general publications on a wide variety of topics relating to range management and southern Alberta history. Alex's interest in local and regional history started with an interest in place names during his career as a range management specialist. As President of the Lethbridge Historical Society from 1960 to 1961 and 1963 to 1986, Alex built an active research and publishing program as part of the society's activities. Alex Johnston was a member of 37 clubs, committees, professional and community groups during his life. He received 21 formal honours for his service to his profession and the community from local, provincial, national and international organizations. A life-long bachelor, Alex Johnston died on 12 April 1989, age 69.

Scope and Content

Twelve photographs of the family of Alex Johnston and of Alex during the course of his life.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

19911045000

Collection

Archive

Less detail