Frontiersmen and Settlers: The Bells in Scotland, Ireland and Canada »

William C. Wonders, C.M., C.D., B.A. (Toronto), M.A. (Syracuse), Ph.D. (Toronto), Phil. Dr. h.c.(Uppsala), F.R.S.C., is University Professor Emeritus of Geography, University of Alberta. Born in Toronto, Ontario, he began his academic career as a faculty member at the University of Toronto, then moved to Edmonton, Alberta, as founding Head of the Department of Geography in the University of Alberta. He also was founding Chairman there, of the Boreal Institute for Northern studies (now the Canadian Circumpolar Institute). His major academic interests have been in settlement geography, historical geography, and Northern Regions. During his career he has held visiting professorships and research fellowships at the University of Victoria and St. Mary's University (Canada), the University of Oklahoma (U.S.A.), Uppsala University (Sweden), the University of Aberdeen and Edinburgh University (Scotland), and the Free University of Berlin. (Germany). After 35 years at the University of Alberta he retired to Victoria, British Columbia.

A chronicle of the Bell family migration from the Scottish borders during the 17th century, through Ulster and on to Canada during the 19th century. The book follows the family progress from their beginnings as a Scots "riding clan" to rural pioneering in Ontario, and finally to urban settlement in Toronto and disbursement throughout Canada and the United States.