Honorary degree citation - Evan H. Turner*

By: Douglass Burns Clarke, May 1965

Mr. Chancellor:

I have the honour to present to you Evan H. Turner, distinguished Director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Native of Maine, and brilliant son of scholarly parents, Dr. Turner was, until recently, an eminent member of our community. Following an outstanding career as scholar and administrator in leading museums of the United States of America, Dr. Turner came to Montreal in 1959 to become Director of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Through this office, he served this city and this country well; he was a leading force in the organization and the sound establishment of the Canadian Museums Association; he worked hard, ceaselessly and creatively to spread the knowledge of Canadian art both at home and abroad; he planned and organized some of the most historically influential exhibitions to be held in this country. Tireless in his service to art in the community, he gave freely of his time and talent. We are grateful to him, at this university, for the counsel he gave us in his service as a member of the original selection committee for our own collection of Canadian Art.

We would honour him especially, however, for his creative development of a new spirit in our Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Through his efforts and imagination, thousands have been attracted to and served by this museum, and the community has been enriched by the creative role the museum assumed under his leadership. In honouring Dr. Turner, we salute one who has helped to establish the visual arts as a conspicuous and valued part of our civil life. It is with deep satisfaction and pride, therefore, Mr. Chancellor, that by authority of the University Council and the Board of Governors, I present to you Evan H. Turner, that you may confer on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.