Franklin Carmichael, R.C.A. (1890 - 1945) Inducted 1966

One of Orillia's most famous native sons and one of Canada's most significant painters, Franklin Carmichael studied under Canon Greene of St. James' Church in his early years.

While still very young, he worked in a commercial art studio in Toronto, meeting Canadian art pioneers there. He studied for a short time in Belgium. Returning to Canada, Carmichael joined the renowned Group of Seven - its youngest member. In later years, he taught at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, remaining there until his death in 1945.

Best known as a landscape painter, Franklin Carmichael was also accomplished in water colours, furniture making, gardening, batiks, block prints, and music.

The National Gallery of South Africa has two of his charcoal sketches. As well his works are in the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the McMichael Canadian Collection in Kleinberg and in private collections throughout the world. His best known pieces are Autumn Woods, Lake Superior and Northern Tundra.

Carmichael will be remembered as one of the greatest in the field of the arts. There is a plaque to his memory erected on the grounds of the Public Library in Orillia.

Carmichael and his wife, the former Ada Went, are buried in St. James' Cemetery in Orillia.