Celebrated author Gary May will be holding a book launch event at the Oil Museum of Canada on Aug. 28, marking the release of a new book that explores the life and times of one of Lambton County’s original international oil barons, William H. McGarvey.
From 1 to 3 pm, May – a former journalist and editor for the London Free Press and the Ottawa Citizen – will be host to a free meet and greet/book-signing at the museum for his new book Crude Genius: The Making of an International Oil Baron.
May’s new book explores the beginnings of the global petroleum industry and is centered around McGarvey, a former mayor of Petrolia and oil man who sought his fortune in the international oil fields of Austro-Hungary, America, Russia and Romania.
Known as the ‘Petroleum King of Austria’ and ‘Europe’s Rockefeller’, McGarvey became a multimillionaire and advised the British government during the period leading up to the First World War regarding converting its naval fleet to oil fuel.
May has already written four books on some of Canada’s early oil innovators, having first discovered Lambton County’s history of oil pioneers in 1974. His first book – Hard Oiler! – was published in 1998, and last year he published a new edition with additional information and detail.
IF YOU GO
What: Book launch for Gary May’s Crude Genius
Where: Oil Museum of Canada, 2423 Kelly Rd., Oil Springs
When: Sunday, Aug. 28 from 1 to 3 pm
Admission: Free