ALGONQUIN PARK — 1917 · Suspicious Death
The Mysterious Death of Tom Thomson
Tom Thomson, one of the most influential figures in Canadian painting, disappeared on 8 July 1917 after setting out in his canoe on Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park. His overturned canoe was spotted that afternoon, and his body was found in the lake eight days later. A cut on his temple was noted, but the death was officially recorded as accidental drowning. He was first buried at Mowat Cemetery near the lake, then exhumed days later at his brother's request and reburied in the family plot at Leith. Theories that the experienced outdoorsman was murdered or took his own life lack substance but persist in popular culture to this day.
- Date
- 1917
- Place
- Ontario, Canada, Algonquin Park, CA
- Category
- Suspicious Death
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 45.5200, -78.7200 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 8 July 1917Thomson vanished after setting out on Canoe Lake; his canoe was found overturned.
- 16 July 1917His body was found in the lake; the death was ruled an accidental drowning.
- 21 July 1917The body was moved from Mowat and reburied in the family plot at Leith.
- September 1917Friends erected a memorial cairn at Canoe Lake.
Sources
- The Canadian Encyclopedia — Tom Thomson thecanadianencyclopedia.ca ↗
- Wikipedia — Tom Thomson en.wikipedia.org ↗
- The Canadian Encyclopedia
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.