Manuscript Collection MS COLL 00417 - Roger Pocock Papers

Identity area

Reference code

CA OTUTF MS COLL 00417

Title

Roger Pocock Papers

Date(s)

  • 1932-1941 (Creation)

Level of description

Manuscript Collection

Extent and medium

1 box

Context area

Name of creator

(1865-1941)

Biographical history

British soldier, writer, adventurer, member of the North West Mounted Police, founder of the Legion of the Frontiersmen. After serving on the training ship Wellesley, Pocock went to western Canada to serve with the Royal North-West Mounted Police. Reporting to Winnipeg in 1884, Pocock fought in the second Riel Rebellion and suffered such severe frost bite that he was discharged with a pension and position in the Civil Service. The quiet life did not suit him and within a year he was ready to resume his life of adventure. He decided to explore the region of the Rockies, planning a trip that would take him along the Rockies from Canada to Mexico. He travelled by train to British Columbia where he disembarked at Kamloops, where he outfitte himself for his travels. From Kamloops began his 3,600 mile, 200 day journey during which he made his way as journalist, missionary, trader, scout and prospector. An account of this journey including his extensive travels in western Canada can be found in his book, The Frontiersmen. In addition to this title, several of his works both non-fiction and fiction deal with Canada, particularly the west. Pocock's works are listed in Watters.

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Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Includes material relating to Roger Pocock and the Legion of the Frontiersmen. Correspondence between Pocock and fellow 'Frontiersman' Charles Palmer, 1932-1941; Driscoll to Palmer; a signed photograph of Pocock; a signed dinner menu from Imperial Overseas Legion of Frontiersmen Reunion Dinner; and two Manuals for the Canadian Branch of the Frontiersmen.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Material may be requested in person at the Fisher Library Reference Desk, or in advance using our online stack retrieval request form: https://fisher.library.utoronto.ca/stack-retrieval-request

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

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Finding aids

Uploaded finding aid

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Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto

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