Dr. Roger F. Tomlinson

Deceased

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Deceased

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Order of Canada

Member of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 2001-05-30
Invested on: 2002-02-22
He is a visionary geographer who conceived and developed the world's first Geographic Information System (GIS) for the use of the Canada Land Inventory. Recognized as the "father of GIS", he pioneered its uses worldwide to collect, manage and manipulate geographical data, changing the face of geography as a discipline. His work established Canada's reputation for excellence in the emerging and continually expanding field of geo-spatial analysis. Governments and scientists around the world have turned to him to better understand our environment and changing patterns of land use, to better manage urban development and our precious natural resources.
Officer of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 2013-05-02
Invested on: 2013-11-22
Roger Tomlinson’s invention of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has transformed the field of geography. In the 1960’s he designed an electronic system to store, manipulate and display geographic data. Today, his landmark creation underpins virtually all spatial analysis and has enabled new questions to be asked in a wide variety of disciplines as diverse as telecommunications, epidemiology and resource management. He continues to be an ambassador for Canadian geographic science, guiding the implementation of GIS through international workshops, conferences and consultations. This is a promotion within the Order.