James Walton Groves

James Walton Groves (October 18, 1906 - May 6, 1970) was a Canadian mycologist born in Kinburn, Ontario, on October 18, 1906, to John James and Laura Groves. He displayed an early interest in education and learning. He taught himself the alphabet from a decorated bowl, and impressed visitors to the family farm by reading aloud the newspaper by age four. In 1918, his father John sustained an injury from an accident and the family moved to Ottawa. He then attended Lisgar High School and later the Ottawa Normal School with the intention of teaching for a career. From 1926 to 1928 he taught public school, denying offers at universities and encouraging his students to pursue graduate educations in mycology. A Summer job with the Canada Department of Agriculture in 1929 as a plant disease investigator is credited by him as an introduction to the field of botanical research and jumpstarting his research career. In 1930 he graduated from Queen's University for biology and a minor in chemistry with honors. Similar roles were held throughout his education while he earned his M.A. from the University of Toronto in 1932, and his Ph.D. in 1935. Many Summers were also spent at Lake Timagami, where he worked for a year after earning his Ph.D with H.S. Jackson. Provided by Wikipedia