Scientific Career/Musical Pursuits:

Haycock returned south and attended Princeton University for his Ph.D. which he obtained in 1931. That year he secured a job in Ottawa as a Mineralogist with the Department of Mines. He pioneered the use of the mass spectrometer in analysing minerals and discovered a South African ore which was named Haycockite after him. He was on the leading edge of Uranium research during and after World War II, a project which, as a pure scientist, he recalled as being very exciting.

Always an aficionado of classical music, Haycock bought a baby grand piano in the 1930's. His apartment became a popular gathering place for artists and musicians, including Fred Varley of the Group of Seven. Haycock later played the french horn in the Parkdale United Church Orchestra, the Ottawa Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ottawa Civic Symphony.

Even though the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra's history can be traced back to l894, it was only in 1965, under the leadership of Maurice Haycock, that local musicians decided to form this ensemble. Their first obstacle was an almost total lack of funds - there was not even enough money for the maestro's podium back then!

Follow the links to read about the various chapters of his life:
Youth
Introduction to the North and to A.Y. Jackson
Scientific Career/ Musical Pursuits
Early Painting/The Call of the North
The Infatuation of the North
An Active Philanthropist
Haycock's Memory