Dr. Marius Barbeau is both poet and professor, author and anthropologist, indefatigable collector of Canadiana and dedicated historian in the pursuit of Canada's unique and storied past. World-renowned as a scientist, he is also one of Canada's most revered men of letters, one of her most colourful personalities._x000B__x000B_It has been said that his head is a private museum filled with totem poles, hooked rugs, wood carvings, songs and legends. Now, a spry 75, with half a century of vigorous field trips behind him, and officially "retired" as head of Canada's National Museum in Ottawa, he labours with his customary zeal and enthusiasm, arranging the rich treasures of his mind for public display. To date this has involved the writing of 60 books, 100 pamphlets, 800 articles. He lectures and writes with equal facility in French and English and delights periodically to break into one of the many Indian dialects he knows so well. Born at Ste. Marie de Beauce, Quebec, in 1883, Dr. Barbeau studied law at Laval University, won a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford in 1907 where he became interested in ethnology which he pursued at the Sorbonne. Returning to Canada in 1911 he joined the National Museum, devoted the next 40 years of his life to building up its fine store of Canadiana. Everywhere he goes. Dr. Barbeau carries with him a deep sense of beauty and, fittingly, some of his closest friends have been among the most celebrated of Canada's painters and sculptors.

The Indian masks to the right are part of his fascinating private collection.

Dr. Barbeau hopes his store of native Canadian music will one day inspire Canadian composers. Above, he sings a Salish Indian love song to Caroline Price, one of his 9 grandchildren.