Carrie Matilda Derick

     Carrie Matilda Derick was born on 14 January 1862 at Clarenceville, Missisquoi Co, Quebec.¹ She was the daughter of Frederick Uriah Derick and Edna Jane Colton. Carrie Matilda Derick was baptized on 28 September 1862 at Clarenceville, Missisquoi Co, Quebec.² She died on 10 November 1941 at Ross Memorial Pavilion, Montreal, Montreal Co, Quebec, at age 79.³ She was buried on 12 November 1941 at Mount Royal Crematorium, Montreal, Montreal Co, Quebec.³
     After completing her early education at the Clarenceville Academy and her teaching training at the McGill Normal School, she began a career as a school teacher, first in Clarenceville and later in a private girls' school in Montreal.
     Carrie Derick received her BA from McGill University in 1890, earning the highest marks and winning several prizes. The following year, Derick became the first female instructor at McGill. She was graduated from McGill University with a MA in 1896 (first class honours). In 1901 she went to the University of Bonn for further study. Although she completed the research required for a PhD, she was not awarded the degree because the University of Bonn did not grant PhDs to women. Undeterred, Derick persisted in her research. She spent three summers at Harvard University and seven more at the Woods Hole Biological Station in Massachusetts. Carrie eventually became the first woman ever appointed to a full professorship at a Canadian university in 1912.
     Her research on heredity was read by scientists around the world and paved the way for the future study of genetics. She was one of the few women listed in American Men of Science (1910). McGill awarded her the honorary title of Professor Emerita.
     Colleagues saw her as a brilliant student, an inspiring teacher, an adventurous scientist and a tireless advocate of women's rights.
     It is interesting to note that in present day Montreal, there is a Carrie-Derick Street [From various sources online].