University of Toronto
During this period some of Toronto's theological colleges also federated with the university. Knox College (founded 1844), a Presbyterian seminary, affiliated with the university in 1885 and federated in 1890. Wycliffe College (Anglican, founded 1877) became a federated college in 1889. Emmanuel College (Methodist, founded 1836) became affiliated with the university as a UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA seminary in 1925, the year the United Church came into existence. In 1969 the Toronto School of Theology (TST) was created as an independent federation of 7 schools of theology, including the divinity faculties of Victoria (Emmanuel), St Michael's and Trinity universities and Knox and Wycliffe colleges. Within its own federation, U of T granted all but theology or divinity degrees, but since 1978, by virtue of a change made in its charter, the university has granted theology degrees conjointly with TST's member institutions.
The reorganization of U of T in the 1850s had resulted in the abolishment of the faculties of law and medicine, but these were restored in 1887. The Royal College of Dental Surgeons (founded 1875) was affiliated with the university from 1888 until 1925, when it became the Faculty of Dentistry. Engineering students attended the School of Practical Science, which was affiliated with the university from its inception in 1878 until 1887, when it amalgamated. The Conservatory of Music became an affiliate in 1896.
After the turn of the century the university expanded rapidly. New faculties included home economics (1906), education (1907), forestry (1907), social work (1914), nursing (1920), graduate studies (1922), hygiene (1926) and the School of Architecture (1948). Affiliate research institutions such as the ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM (1914), Connaught Medical Laboratories (1914) and the David Dunlap Observatory (1935) played an important role in the development of the university. The building program during this period included Hart House, a social, cultural and recreational centre that was built between 1911 and 1919 and given to the university in 1919 by Vincent MASSEY.
Canada's evolution was reflected in the growth and diversification of the university. The University of Toronto Press was established in 1901, and became a full-scale academic publishing house after 1945; by 1988, it was publishing 88 titles and 25 periodicals a year (see UNIVERSITY PRESSES). Today the U of T Press releases approximately 140 new scholarly, reference and general-interest books annually, including the renowned reference titles Canadian Who's Who and Canadian Books in Print. Graduate institutes in various areas of specialization were developed, the first being the Institute of Business Administration (1958). The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) was founded in 1965 as a research and development institute and as a graduate school of education. In 1996 OISE and U of Ts Faculty of Education were integrated to form OISE/UT.
The School of Graduate Studies at the U of T houses over 80 graduate departments representing a broad array of fields from theoretical astrophysics to medieval studies, with the most recent arrivals being museum studies and knowledge media design.
The need to decentralize the university to meet the needs of metropolitan Toronto's growing population led to the development of 2 suburban campuses, Scarborough College (1964), now U of T Scarborough, and Erindale College (1966), now U of T Mississauga. The undergraduate college system was expanded at the central campus to include New College (1962) and Innis College (1964). MASSEY COLLEGE, the only college solely for graduates in U of T, was built and furnished by the Massey Foundation and opened in 1963 with Robertson DAVIES as master. YORK UNIVERSITY was affiliated with the University of Toronto from its creation in 1959 until it became fully independent in 1965.
U of T has made important contributions in many areas of scholarship and research. The discovery of INSULIN and STEM CELLS and the development of Pablum, liquid helium, an artificial pancreas, the genes for cystic fibrosis and the most severe form of Alzheimer's disease and the laser-beam image recorder took place at the university. The university is also the home of many research projects in the arts and humanities, including the DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY, Records of Early English Drama, the Dictionary of Old English and the editing of the works of John Stuart Mill.
Noted alumni include: authors Margaret ATWOOD, Farley MOWAT and Michael ONDAATJE; humorist Stephen LEACOCK; film directors Arthur HILLER, Atom EGOYAN, David CRONENBERG and Norman JEWISON; actors Donald SUTHERLAND, Raymond MASSEY and Don HARRON; opera singers Teresa STRATUS and Maureen FORRESTER; media personalities Peter GZOWSKI and Barbara AMIEL; astronaut Roberta BONDAR; former prime ministers William Lyon MACKENZIE, Arthur MEIGHEN and Lester PEARSON; and Governor General Adrienne CLARKSON. The U of T has over 80 000 full-time and part-time students.
University of Toronto
Founded as King's College in 1827 and controlled by the Church of England, on 31 December 1849 the institution was secularized, becoming on 1 January 1850 the nondenominational University of Toronto. Watercolour by architect W.G. Storm. (Courtesy National Gallery of Canada).
Woodsworth College
Woodsworth College at University of Toronto (courtesy Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects).
Hart House, early 1990s
Hart House, on the University of Toronto campus, was endowed by the Massey family and named for Hart Massey (courtesy University of Toronto Archives).
Earth Sciences Building, U of T
University of Toronto, designed by A.J. Diamond, Donald Schmitt and Co (photo by Steven Evans).
Links to Other Sites
University Affairs
The University Affairs magazine takes you inside Canada's universities with the latest news, people on the move, book reviews, provocative opinion, research highlights and in-depth articles on a wide range of topics of interest to faculty, administrators and graduate students.
University of Toronto
The official website of the University of Toronto.
Historica-Dominion Institute
The website for the Historica-Dominion Institute, parent organization of The Canadian Encyclopedia and the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. Check out their extensive online feature about the War of 1812, the "Heritage Minutes" video collection, and many other interactive resources concerning Canadian history, culture, and heritage.
Canadians for Health Research
The website for Canadians for Health Research provides the latest news and information about programs that promote science and health research initiatives in Canada.
University of Toronto Museum of Scientific Instruments
Check out the collection of antique medical and scientific instruments at this University of Toronto website.
Academic Matters
The website for Academic Matters, a magazine that explores issues of relevance to higher education in Ontario, other provinces in Canada, and globally. Focuses on current trends in post-secondary education and academe’s future direction.
Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto
The first faculty at a Canadian university for the scholarly and professional study of music. Their website features bios of current faculty, an extensive listing of academic programs, and more.
Hariri Pontarini Architects
The website for the critically-acclaimed firm Hariri Pontarini Architects. View an impressive online photo gallery of structures designed by this firm.
The Discovery and Early Development of Insulin
An outstanding online exhibit about Canada’s leading role in the discovery and development of insulin as a treatment for diabetes. This digitalized collection of original archival material features laboratory notebooks and charts, correspondence, published papers, photographs, awards, scrapbooks and much more. From the website for the University of Toronto Libraries.
John Strachan
A biography of John Strachan, teacher, clergyman, officeholder, and bishop. Also provides much detail about the history of Upper Canada. From the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online.
Facebook: University Affairs
Join the conversation about post-secondary education in Canada.
QS Top Universities
Browse or search for the rank of your favourite university. Also provides country guides, program information, and more.
Shawnadithit grew anxious waiting for her uncle, Longnon, to return to camp at the junction of Badger Brook and the Exploits River, deep in the wilds of Newfoundland...
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