Roger Tomlinson

Dr. Roger Tomlinson created the first computerized geographic information system in the 1960s while working for the Canadian government. Born in England, he settled in Canada after military service and university, where his work in geomorphology led to applying computerized methods for handling map information. Tomlinson has had a distinguished career as a pioneer in GIS and developed Tomlinson Associates Ltd., which provides geographic consulting services. For twelve years he was chairman of...See more

Dr. Roger Tomlinson created the first computerized geographic information system in the 1960s while working for the Canadian government. Born in England, he settled in Canada after military service and university, where his work in geomorphology led to applying computerized methods for handling map information. Tomlinson has had a distinguished career as a pioneer in GIS and developed Tomlinson Associates Ltd., which provides geographic consulting services. For twelve years he was chairman of the International Geographical Union GIS Commission, a president of the Canadian Association of Geographers, and most recently was the second-ever recipient of the prestigious Alexander Graham Bell award from the National Geographic Society. See less