[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/stanbayleybook.jpg” caption=”Stan Bayley, author of a new book on the history of McMaster’s biology department, at the launch for his book. Photo by Pat Chow-Fraser.”]McMaster University has a long history – 122 years, to be exact. The Department of Biology has been an integral part of the University for each of those years as one of the first departments at McMaster.

A new book, The History of McMaster's Biology Department: 1890 to 1990, details the history of McMaster's biology department from the ground up.

Stan Bayley, a professor emeritus in the biology department, with help from several other professors, wrote the book after a request from Richard Morton, also professor emeritus in the biology department, in June 2006.

“I felt that recording the history of the department was worthwhile in itself,” said Bayley. “I had also enjoyed writing scientific papers and memoirs for private circulation and writing the history would be a challenge.”

The book details the teaching and research in biology at McMaster from the beginning of classes in 1890 in the newly formed McMaster University, which was then located in Toronto, up to 1990. In 1990 the department was transformed by a series of retirements and new appointments which made the biology department what it is today.

Morton and Ludvic Prevec, another retired member of the department, helped to research the department's history. They discovered interesting tidbits such as the first women appointed to McMaster's faculty was hired by the biology department in 1925. Morton also helped to format the book and find the many photographs included with the text.

“I am grateful to the many people who helped prepare this book,” said Bayley. “Writing it was certainly a challenge yet an exciting project. My colleagues and I are pleased to have helped contribute to a record of the department's past.”

The History of McMaster's Biology Department: 1890 to 1990 is available at Titles Bookstore or can be downloaded for free at DigitalCommons@McMaster.