Bissell, Claude T.

(10 February 1916 - 21 June 2000)

Born in Meaford, Ontario
English

Assistant Professor, UofT 1952

University Professor

BA (1936), MA (English Literature) (1937) University of Toronto;

PhD (Cornell)

Department of English, University College (1941-1956; 1958-1983)

Mackenzie King Professor of Canadian Studies, Harvard University (1967-1968)

Leave for war (Canadian Army) (1942-1945)

President, Carleton University (1956-1958) (country's youngest President)

8th President, University of Toronto (1958-1971)

When Bissell returned from his leave for war in 1945, his teaching took a backseat and he became heavily involved in university administration, initially as dean of residence; by 1948 he was assistant to the president, by 1952 he was vice-president, and by 1958 he was president.

Chairman of Canada Council

President of National Conference of Canadian Universities and Colleges

President of World University Service of Canada

Chairman of Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

Honours

Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC) 1957

Companion of the Order of Canada 1969

Honourary Doctor of Letters, University of Leeds, 1976

Publications

University College: A Portrait. Toronto:University of Toronto Press, 1953.

The Strength of the University. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1968.

Halfway up Parnassus: A Personal Account of the University of Toronto, 1932-1971. Toronto: University ofToronto Press, 1974.