Born: 1918 (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Died: 1999 (Nepean, Ontario)
Biography:
Isobel Moira Dunbar, widely known as Moira Dunbar, was a Scottish-Canadian glaciologist and Arctic sea-ice researcher. Born on 3 February 1918 in Edinburgh, Scotland, she spent her formative years in Stornoway, Strathpeffer, and Kilmarnock. Dunbar attended Cranley School for Girls and was raised in a family of intellectuals. Her father, William John Dunbar, a prominent sheriff and advocate of the Scottish Bar, instilled in her a love for learning and intellectual pursuits. Moira had a brother named Maxwell, who would also go on to achieve recognition as a marine biologist. Additionally, she had a sister named Elizabeth Jenkins (née Dunbar).
Moira Dunbar’s passion for the arts flourished during her time at the University of Oxford, where she studied geography. She actively participated in the Oxford University Drama Society and performed as a professional actor and stage manager with the English Theatre. Moira’s creative inclinations extended beyond acting and into the realm of music, particularly with the guitar and piano.
After emigrating to Canada, Dunbar found employment with the federal government and continued to pursue her studies. In 1958, she became certified as a linguist in the Russian language, showcasing her commitment to language learning. Moira was also fluent in German and French. In 1964, Dunbar traveled to Russia to observe their icebreaking operations as part of a government team.
Dunbar’s educational journey began at Cranley School for Girls before she gained acceptance to St Anne’s College at the University of Oxford. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Geography by 1939 and later obtained a Master’s degree in the same subject in 1948. While her brother pursued a career in science and became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Moira first embarked on a different path after graduating from Oxford.
Initially, Dunbar explored her passion for theater, becoming involved in performances during World War II for the British Army. She toured various locations within the United Kingdom with the English Theatre, garnering recognition as a character juvenile.
Dunbar’s career took a turn when she arrived in Canada in 1947. Discovering a need for trained geographers within the Canadian government, she joined the Joint Intelligence Bureau. This decision marked a pivotal moment in her life and led her to focus on glaciology and Arctic sea-ice research. Moira Dunbar’s dedication and expertise in these fields propelled her forward, eventually leading her to become the Director of the Division of Earth Sciences before her retirement in 1978.
After retiring, Dunbar settled in Dunrobin, Ontario, where she resided in a countryside home surrounded by her beloved animals. In her personal life, Moira was known for her amusing and convivial personality. She cherished family moments and enjoyed partaking in traditional Scottish song-singing alongside her brother.
Sadly, Isobel Moira Dunbar passed away on 22 November 1999 in Nepean, Ontario, at the age of 81. Throughout her pioneering career as a glaciologist and Arctic sea-ice researcher, she made significant contributions to scientific understanding in these fields. Her substantial body of work, combined with her dedication to expanding human knowledge, has solidified her place in history.