Cliff McCawley Retires

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CCI Newsletter, No. 37, Spring 2006

Cliff McCawley Retires

by David Grattan, Manager, Conservation Research, CCI

The retirement of Cliff McCawley in November 2005 was in many ways a landmark occasion for CCI. Not only had Cliff made a major contribution to the Institute, he was one of the pioneers of conservation science in Canada.

Cliff began his career as a conservation scientist at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. After a meeting with Brian Arthur, Director General of CCI from 1976 to 1980, he became a devotee of Brian’s concept of integrating conservation science and conservation treatment into one discipline. Brian was impressed with Cliff’s enthusiasm for the idea of conservators and scientists working together as equal partners — as well as his ability as a scientist — and persuaded Cliff to come to Canada. On his arrival, Cliff worked in the Analytical Laboratory of the Parks Canada Conservation Division in Ottawa. While there, he introduced the lab staff to diamond cell infrared spectroscopy and contributed a paper on the technique at the International Council of Museums – Committee for Conservation (ICOM-CC) conference in Venice in 1978.

By the late 1970s Cliff had followed Brian to CCI, where he became the first Chief of Conservation Processes Research (CPR). This section was, in many ways, Cliff’s unique creation. Hitherto, science in conservation had focused mainly on analysis or on environmental issues. However, under Cliff’s influence, CPR studied the scientific aspects of conservation methods with emphasis on the behaviour of materials. Many conservation processes that are now well understood had not been studied at that time. Thus, CPR’s work proceeded in multiple directions: photographic conservation under Siegfried Rempel; paper conservation under Helen Burgess; metals under Mark Gilberg; and my work on waterlogged wood treatment. Cliff always encouraged his scientific staff to work with conservators on the basis of equality and mutual respect. With his guidance, this partnership has prospered at CCI and been fundamental to the development and success of the Institute.

Over the years, CPR’s research became ever diversified. Cliff’s section became an important feature of CCI, the basis of the Conservation Processes and Materials Research division and, more recently, the Conservation Research division. Cliff’s career diversified too. His energy and enthusiasm kick-started CCI’s celebrated Mobile Laboratory Program, and he became its first Director. In 1992, he became Director of Conservation Research Services, a post he held through CCI’s reorganization in 1995–1996.

Cliff was also active throughout his career in many conservation organizations. He was president of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works – Canadian Group (IIC-CG) in 1977–1978, and he served ICOM-CC as a member of the Directory Board (1987–1990) and Chair of the Board (1990–1993). His election as Chair is indicative of the respect he earned from his international colleagues. Cliff put a huge amount of effort into ICOM-CC. I remember him spending evenings, weekends, and days off working away — and this was in the days before e-mail made communication easy. But Cliff’s hard work paid off, judging from the focus and quality of the ICOM-CC Preprints from that period.

After serving the Institute in so many capacities over the years, Cliff’s influence will be felt long after his retirement. For his part, he will be spending more time with his grandchildren. We envy them!