Claude Bissell
Encyclopedia
Claude Thomas Bissell, (10 February 1916 – 21 June 2000) was a Canadian
author and educator.
from 1958 to 1971. He played a major part in the expansion of the University of Toronto, tripling the size of the university during his tenure.
He was born in Meaford
, Ontario
, the youngest of nine children. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in 1936 and received his Master of Arts
degree in English literature in 1937. He served in the Canadian Army during World War II
.
In 1952 he was made assistant professor at the University of Toronto. From 1956 to 1958 he was president of Carleton College (now Carleton University
) returning to the University of Toronto in 1958 to become president.
He was the chair of the Canada Council
from 1960 to 1962.
The Claude T. Bissell Building at the University of Toronto is named after him.
He married Christine and they had one daughter, Deirdre MacDonald.
Because of his education, was an officer in World War II, attaining the rank of Captain in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada and worked in the intelligence section.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
author and educator.
Biography
He was the eighth president of the University of TorontoUniversity of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
from 1958 to 1971. He played a major part in the expansion of the University of Toronto, tripling the size of the university during his tenure.
He was born in Meaford
Meaford, Ontario
Meaford is a Canadian municipality in Grey County, Ontario. Meaford is located on Nottawasaga Bay, a sub-basin of Georgian Bay, in southern Ontario....
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, the youngest of nine children. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in 1936 and received his Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in English literature in 1937. He served in the Canadian Army during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
In 1952 he was made assistant professor at the University of Toronto. From 1956 to 1958 he was president of Carleton College (now Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
) returning to the University of Toronto in 1958 to become president.
He was the chair of the Canada Council
Canada Council
The Canada Council for the Arts, commonly called the Canada Council, is a Crown Corporation established in 1957 to act as an arts council of the government of Canada, created to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. It funds Canadian artists and...
from 1960 to 1962.
The Claude T. Bissell Building at the University of Toronto is named after him.
He married Christine and they had one daughter, Deirdre MacDonald.
Because of his education, was an officer in World War II, attaining the rank of Captain in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada and worked in the intelligence section.
Honours
- In 1957, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of CanadaRoyal Society of CanadaThe Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
. - In 1969 he was made a Companion of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. - In 1976 he received an honorary Doctor of LettersDoctor of LettersDoctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
from University of LeedsUniversity of LeedsThe University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
.
Quotes
- "Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible."
- "The Social Sciences are good at accounting for disasters once they have taken place."
- Referring to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, his regiment in World War II, "a happy regiment and a formidable one in action."
Selected bibliography
- University College: A Portrait - 1953
- Halfway Up Parnassus: A Personal Account of the University of Toronto 1932-71 - 1974
- A Brief Biography: Vincent MasseyVincent MasseyCharles Vincent Massey was a Canadian lawyer and diplomat who served as Governor General of Canada, the 18th since Canadian Confederation....
, 1887-1967 - 1981 - The Imperial Canadian: Vincent Massey in Office -1986
- Ernest Buckler Remembered - 1989