Irwin, William Andrew

1884-1967

Department of Near Eastern Studies

M.A.
D.B.

When the first World War ended the University dealt with a high influx of students and Irwin was appointed as a lecturer to the staff of the Department of Near Eastern Studies in 1919. In 1930 he resigned to accept a position at the University of Chicago. During his time at U of T Irwin did much to popularize the courses in Oriental Literature and History; however, some of the questions he posed to students created problems in sensitive issues such as religion, and eventually the president Sir Robert Falconer had to step in and write a letter to W.R. Taylor about the matter.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Andrew_Irwin

Winnett, Frederick Victor, McCullough, William Stewart.  A Brief History of the Department of Near Eastern Studies (formerly Oriental Languages) in the University of Toronto to 1976/1977. s.n. 1977.