Charles McLean Fraser (1872-1946) is best remembered for his work on hydroids, but he was also involved in a much broader range of activities during the development of marine biology on the Pacific coast of Canada in the first half of the 20th century. From 1920 to 1940 he was Head of the Department of Zoology at the University of British Columbia. He was also an influential member of societies such as the Royal Society of Canada and the Pacific Science Association.