[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/VivNelles-Welcome-Oct-04-A.jpg” caption=”Viv Nelles. Photo credit: Deborah McIvor”]Local Hamilton high school history teachers and other local history enthusiasts joined McMaster faculty and senior administrators yesterday to welcome Viv Nelles to McMaster University as the L.R. Wilson Professor in Canadian History.

“I'm just adding some extra bubbles to some very good champagne,” said Nelles, as he acknowledged McMaster's already strong history department where he plans to develop the L.R. Wilson Centre for Canadian History. He promised that he would be in touch with the teachers and local historians in the near future as ideas for the centre develop.

“As our L.R. Wilson Professor in Canadian History, Dr. Nelles will work with an advisory board of Canadian scholars from across the campus to create interdepartmental seminars and an annual conference for historians and history teachers,” said McMaster University President and Vice-Chancellor Peter George. “The Centre will hold an annual book competition to name the best book on Canadian history that appeals to a general audience.”

The L.R. Wilson Professorship was created thanks to a $1-million donation made by McMaster alumnus, Lynton Ronald “Red” Wilson. “Red Wilson is one of our greatest alumni champions,” said George. “He continues to inspire and challenge us with not only his gifts to student awards, Engineering, Athletics and Recreation and now Humanities, but also with his advice and counsel.”

Wilson is co-founder of the Historica Foundation of Canada. The Foundation is dedicated to providing Canadians with a deeper understanding of their history and its importance in shaping the country we have today.

During the reception, Nelles presented Wilson and George with a copy of his latest book, A Little History of Canada, which was released this summer by Oxford University Press and has already made the bestseller list.

Before Nelles came to McMaster the award-winning scholar was York University's distinguished research professor in history. He has also taught Canadian history at Harvard University, Oxford University, Cambridge University and he was the first professor of Canadian studies in Japan.