by Michah Rynor

Claude T. Bissell (1916-2000)

June 26, 2000 -- Claude Thomas Bissell, U of T’s eighth president from 1958 to 1971, died June 21, bringing to an end a lifetime of intellectual and administrative achievement, broad vision and unflagging commitment to the university community.

“The University of Toronto greatly regrets the passing of President Emeritus Claude Bissell,” said President Robert
Prichard. “I had the great privilege of counting Claude as a wonderful mentor. By example and words he taught me the essence of the university presidency. I will always be deeply grateful for his friendship and support.

“President Bissell ranks with the university’s most distinguished
sons,” Prichard continued. “During his presidency, the modern U of T was shaped and built. He made an enormous contribution not just to U of T but to the cause of higher
education at large. With his eloquent voice and graceful pen, he led the faculty and protected and advanced our academic values. He was a magnificent leader for the university and we will always treasure our memories of him.”

During his tenure, the university expanded rapidly, tripling its size with the addition of Erindale, Scarborough, Innis and New
colleges. It was also during his tenure that library holdings
quadrupled and the renowned John P. Robarts Library was built.

The Faculty of Medicine was greatly expanded as well, bringing in Sunnybrook Hospital as a teaching hospital, and under his guidance graduate enrolment substantially
increased and many new centres and institutes were developed.

Bissell’s term was one of unprecedented change which
included widespread pressure from faculty and students for a more democratic form of administration. Bissell responded to this challenge and a governing structure that incorporated greater student and staff representation was subsequently
adopted.

Born in Meaford, Ont., in 1916, he was the youngest of nine children and still a child when the family moved to Toronto. An
excellent student, he attained first-class standing in all his undergraduate years at U of T, winning history and English literature prizes and scholarships. He graduated with a
bachelor of arts degree in 1936 and entered the graduate school at U of T as the Reuben Wells Leonard Fellow.

After earning a master of arts degree in English literature in 1937, Bissell was granted a fellowship to study philosophy and English literature at Cornell University where he won the Luana L. Messenger Prize for Graduate Research in 1940. After a year teaching English literature at Cornell, he returned to his alma mater to lecture at University College.

Bissell took a leave of absence to join the Canadian Infantry overseas with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1942. After the war he joined the staff of Khaki College, a British university set up for military personnel.

Back in Toronto, Bissell became dean-in-residence at University College and was appointed an assis-tant professor of English literature in 1952. That same year he became assistant to the president, then becoming a vice-president of the university while continuing to teach. Bissell was appointed president of Carleton College (now Carleton University) in 1956, returning to U of T in 1958 to succeed Sidney Smith as president.

A prolific writer, his books include: University College: A Portrait (1953); Halfway Up Parnassus: A Personal Account of the University of Toronto 1932-71 (1974); and a two-volume biography of Vincent Massey.

Bissell was chair of the Canada Council from 1960 to 1962, presi-dent of the National Conference of Canadian Universities and Colleges (1962-63) and chair of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 1966. He was also the first visiting professor of Canadian studies at Harvard University in 1967 and served as a member of the Council of the Arts (Ontario) (1972-75).

He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1957, received the Award of Merit from the Corporation of the City of Toronto in 1962 and was named a companion of the Order of Canada in 1969. In 1972, the university established the Claude Bissell Chair in Canadian-American Relations.

Bissell is survived by his wife Christina and daughter, Deirdre MacDonald. A private gathering of close family and friends will be held in early September at Massey College to celebrate Bissell’s presidency.

Michah Rynor is a news services officer with the Department of Public Affairs.

CONTACT:

U of T Public Affairs, ph: (416) 978-2104; email: michah.rynor@utoronto.ca