Biographies by Yvonne Palkowski
Eminent historian Irving Abella is an expert on the Canadian labour movement and the history of Jews in Canada. The... Read more...
100 Alumni of Influence
 Dr. Irving Abella
BA 1963 UC Member of the Order of Canada; Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada |
 The Hon. Madam Justice Rosalie Abella
Specially Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada BA 1967 UC Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella studied arts and law at U of T. She practiced civil and family law... Read more... |
 Dr. Philip Anisman
BA 1964 UC Barrister and solicitor Philip Anisman, a sole practitioner and authority on Canadian securities law, was a... Read more... |
 Dr. Harry Arthurs
Officer of the Order of Canada; Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada; Member of the Order of Ontario BA 1955 UC Scholar Harry Arthurs is an expert in legal history and theory, labour law, globalization, and constitutionalism. A... Read more... |
 Diane Bean
BA 1969 UC Corporate leader Diane Bean is the Executive Vice President of Manulife Financial. She has also held leadership... Read more... |
 Dr. Wilfred Gordon Bigelow
Officer of the Order of Canada; Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (BA 1935 UC) Innovative heart surgeon William Gordon Bigelow was instrumental in the development of open-heart surgery and the... Read more... |
 Dr. Claude T. Bissell
Companion of the Order of Canada; Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (BA 1936 UC) Scholar and higher educator leader Claude Bissell was the eighth president of the University of Toronto and a... Read more... |
 Edward Blake
(BA 1854 UC) Politician and lawyer Edward Blake was the second premier of Ontario and later, the leader of Liberal Party of... Read more... |
 Prof. Michael Bliss
Member of the Order of Canada; Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (BA 1962 UC) Leading public intellectual and historian Michael Bliss provides insight into the politics and events that shape... Read more... |
 Mark S. Bonham
(BA 1982 UC) Investment magnate Mark Bonham cut his teeth at UC and the London School of Economics. The founder of BPI Mutual... Read more... |
 Dr. Alan Borovoy
Officer of the Order of Canada (BA 1953 UC) Lawyer, author, and civil libertarian Alan Borovoy is one of Canada’s most vociferous defenders of human rights.... Read more... |
 Leonard Braithwaite
Member of the Order of Canada; Member of the Order of Ontario (BCom 1950 UC) Lawyer Leonard Braithwaite is the first black Canadian to be elected to a provincial legislature. Born in Toronto... Read more... |
 Rudolph Bratty
(BA 1953 UC) Lawyer and real estate tycoon Rudolph Bratty has built communities across the Greater Toronto Area. He is the... Read more... |
 Dr. David Charbonneau
(BA 1996 UC) Harvard astronomy professor David Charbonneau searches for Earth-like planets that can sustain life beyond our... Read more... |
 Dr. Austin Clarke
Member of the Order of Canada; Member of the Order of Ontario (1959 UC) Austin Clarke is a celebrated author of novels and essays on the Canadian immigrant experience. A prolific author... Read more... |
 Dr. William Edmund Clark
Member of the Order of Canada (BA 1969 UC) As President and CEO of TD Bank Financial Group, Ed Clark is one the most influential figures in the financial... Read more... |
 Dr. Dian Cohen
Member of the Order of Canada (BA 1955 UC) Economics consultant, journalist, and broadcaster Dian Cohen has helped Canadians make sense of the economy and... Read more... |
 Marshall Cohen
Member of the Order of Canada (BA 1956 UC) Lawyer and corporate titan Marshall Cohen has led some of Canada’s most recognizable brands, including The Molson... Read more... |
 John Robert Colombo
Member of the Order of Canada (BA 1959 UC) Writer and folklorist John Robert Colombo is the ultimate enthusiast of Canadian culture. Known nationally as the... Read more... |
 Dr. Ruth M. Corbin
(BSc 1972 UC) Corporate director, business executive, and psychologist, Ruth Corbin is a Canadian authority on intellectual... Read more... |
 Dr. David Cronenberg
Officer of the Order of Canada; Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (BA 1967 UC) Filmmaker David Cronenberg is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest directors of all time. A native of Toronto... Read more... |
 Prof. Janet Currie
(BA 1982 UC) Prominent economist Janet Currie studies how socioeconomic factors affect health and well-being. She has taught at... Read more... |
 Prof. Ronald Daniels
BA 1982 UC The former dean and James M. Tory Professor at U of T's Faculty of Law, Ronald Daniels is a noted scholar of... Read more... |
 The Hon. William G. Davis
Companion of the Order of Canada; Member of the Order of Ontario (BA 1951 UC) Lawyer and statesman Bill Davis served as the eighteenth premier of Ontario, from 1971 to 1985. He was elected to... Read more... |
 Linda Silver Dranoff
(BA 1961 UC) Precedent- setting lawyer and writer Linda Silver Dranoff is a specialist in family law, known for her role in... Read more... |
 Susan Eng
(1972 UC) Longtime community leader Susan Eng works to promote safety, security, and justice for all citizens. She is best... Read more... |
 Hershell Ezrin
(BA 1968 UC) Hershell Ezrin is one of Canada's foremost political advisors, policy experts, and strategic communications... Read more... |
 Kenneth Field
(BA 1945 UC) Lawyer, executive, and entrepreneur Kenneth Field has always had a knack for business. At the tender age of 27, he... Read more... |
 Sheila Fischman
Member of the Order of Canada; Chevalier of the Ordre national du Quebec (BA 1957 UC) Translator Sheila Fischman is in large part responsible for bringing the riches of contemporary Québec literature... Read more... |
 Dr. Charles Freedman
(BCom 1963 UC) Charles Freedman has helped steer Canada’s financial course. He studied commerce at UC, winning the Governor... Read more... |
 Dr. Wendy Freedman
BSc 1979 UC Astronomer Wendy Freedman studies the rate at which our universe is expanding. The director of the Carnegie... Read more... |
 Dr. Martin Friedland
Companion of the Order of Canada; Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada BCom 1955 UC Lawyer and writer Martin Friedland is one of the nation’s foremost legal scholars. He taught at Osgoode Hall before... Read more... |
 Barbara Frum
(BA 1959 UC) Barbara Frum was one of Canada’s most respected broadcast journalists. She wrote for The Toronto Star... Read more... |
 Dr. Reva Gerstein
Companion of the Order of Canada; Member of the Order of Ontario (BA 1938 UC) Eminent psychologist and mental health pioneer Reva Gerstein is a longtime advocate for people with psychiatric... Read more... |
 Ira Gluskin
(BCom 1964 UC) Investment mogul Ira Gluskin is the co-founder of Gluskin Shelf + Associates, an independent wealth management firm... Read more... |
 Dr. Anne Golden
Member of the Order of Canada (BA 1962 UC) Community titan Anne Golden is one of Canada’s foremost proponents of social justice. She is the former CEO of the... Read more... |
 Dr. Martin Goldfarb
Officer of the Order of Canada (BA 1962 UC) Marketing tycoon Martin Goldfarb has made tremendous contributions to public life and the business world. A... Read more... |
 Dr. Cynthia Good
(BA 1974 UC) Publisher and editor Cynthia Good has made a indelible mark on the printed word in Canada. The UC English graduate... Read more... |
 The Hon. Edwin A. Goodman
Officer of the Order of Canada (BA 1940 UC) Lawyer Edwin Goodman’s influence extended from the courtroom to the political backroom. The former chair of the... Read more... |
 Dr. Calvin Carl Gotlieb
Member of the Order of Canada; Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (BA 1942 UC) Computing pioneer and scholar Calvin Carl Gotlieb is aptly described as the father of computing in Canada. He... Read more... |
 Prof. J. Wesley Graham
Member of the Order of Canada (BA 1954 UC) Computer scientist J. Wesley Graham was a leader in the field of software development in Canada. He worked for IBM... Read more... |
 Dr. Francess Halpenny
Companion of the Order of Canada; Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (BA 1940 UC) Distinguished scholar Francess Halpenny is the prolific author and editor of articles on Canadian biography,... Read more... |
 Hart Hanson
(BA 1981 UC) Critically acclaimed television writer and series creator Hart Hanson has entertained millions across North America... Read more... |
 Dr. Marguerite Hill
Member of the Order of Canada (BA 1940 UC) Pioneering physician Marguerite Hill helped pave the way for female doctors in Canada. She studied psychology at UC... Read more... |
 Abby Hoffman
Officer of the Order of Canada (BA 1968 UC) Female athletes in Canada owe a debt of gratitude to trailblazing Olympian Abby Hoffman. At the age of nine and in... Read more... |
 Dr. Linda Hutcheon
Officer of the Order of Canada; Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (BA 1969 UC) Distinguished scholar Linda Hutcheon has enriched the fields of literary theory, criticism, Canadian studies, and... Read more... |
 The Hon. Julius Alexander Isaac
Member of the Order of Canada (BA 1955 UC) Legal luminary Julius Isaac was the first black person to sit on the Federal Court of Canada. Born in Grenada,... Read more... |
 Dr. Edward Keystone
(BSc 1965 UC) Professor and physician Edward Keystone is a leader in arthritis research. A consultant in rheumatology at Mount... Read more... |
 Dr. Jay Keystone
(BSc 1965 UC) World-renowned travel physician Jay Keystone is an expert in tropical and infectious disease. He is the former... Read more... |
 Dr. Bruce Kidd
Officer of the Order of Canada (BA 1965 UC) Academic leader and Olympian Bruce Kidd’s victories include winning numerous national and international track-and-... Read more... |
 The Right Hon. William Lyon MacKenzie King
(BA 1895 UC) MacKenzie King was the tenth prime minister of Canada. He was in office for a total of 22 years, making him the... Read more... |
 Dr. Walter Kohn
(BA 1945 UC) Nobel Prize-winning physicist Walter Kohn has made seminal contributions to understanding the electronic properties... Read more... |
 The Hon. Horace Krever
BA 1951 UC Retired Justice Horace Krever is an accomplished lawyer, academic, and judge. He practised law in Toronto and... Read more... |
 Dr. Sonia Labatt
(BA 1960 UC) Community leader and environmental advocate Sonia Labatt is recognized nationally and internationally for her... Read more... |
 Dr. Michele Landsberg
Officer of the Order of Canada (BA 1962 UC) Journalist Michele Landsberg is one of Canada’s foremost feminists and social justice activists. She is best known... Read more... |
 The Right Hon. Bora Laskin
Companion of the Order of Canada (BA 1933 UC) Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Bora Laskin was one of the nation’s most distinguished jurists and academics. He... Read more... |
 Prof. Richard Lee
Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (BA 1959 UC) Internationally renowned anthropologist Richard Lee is an expert on hunter-gatherer societies. Early in his career... Read more... |
 Michael Levine
(BA 1965 UC) Lawyer Michael Levine has helped shape the entertainment landscape in Canada. An expert in the legal aspects of... Read more... |
 Dr. Stephen Lewis
Companion of the Order of Canada 1959 UC Stephen Lewis is a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University. He is the board chair of the Stephen... Read more... |
 Heather Mallick
(BA 1981 UC) Award-winning journalist and author Heather Mallick is not one to mince words. Opinion pieces and lifestyle... Read more... |
 Timothy Long
(BA 1992 UC) Television writer and producer Tim Long has made millions of people laugh. A former writer for Politically... Read more... |
 Dr. Susan Mann
Member of the Order of Canada; Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (BA 1963 UC) Distinguished scholar and academic leader Susan Mann is an expert in modern Canadian history. Notably, she has... Read more... |
 Dr. Lorna Marsden
Member of the Order of Canada; Member of the Order of Ontario (BA 1968 UC) Sociologist and academic leader Lorna Marsden’s influence has been felt in the classroom, the boardroom, and the... Read more... |
 His Excellency, the Right Hon. Charles Vincent Massey
Order of the Companions of Honour; Companion of the Order of Canada; Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (BA 1910 UC) Diplomat Charles Vincent Massey was the first Canadian-born individual to be appointed Governor-General. During his... Read more... |
 The Hon. Barbara McDougall
Officer of the Order of Canada (BA 1960 UC) Financial analyst and former politician Barbara McDougall has been profoundly influential in Canadian public life.... Read more... |
 Dr. John Cunningham McLennan
Order of the British Empire (BA 1892 UC) Eminent physicist John Cunningham McLennan made tremendous contributions to the advancement of science. The first... Read more... |
 The Right Hon. Arthur Meighen
(BA 1896 UC) Lawyer Arthur Meighen was the ninth prime minister of Canada. He was first elected as a conservative member in 1908... Read more... |
 Anne Michaels
(BA 1980 UC) Poet and novelist Anne Michaels is one of Canada’s most celebrated writers. The UC English graduate’s first novel,... Read more... |
 Dr. Lorne Michaels
BA 1966 UC Lorne Michaels is the creator and executive producer of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, the most Emmy-nominated... Read more... |
 The Hon. Justice Michael Moldaver
(BA 1968 UC) Michael Moldaver is the most recent appointee to the Supreme Court of Canada. He began his career practicing... Read more... |
 Dr. Mavor Moore
Companion of the Order of Canada (BA 1941 UC) Arts icon Mavor Moore left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape in Canada. He acted in and produced radio... Read more... |
 Dr. Cathleen Morawetz
Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (BA 1945 UC) Trailblazing mathematician Cathleen Morawetz helped clear the path for female math scholars in the 1950s. Despite... Read more... |
 Dr. Farley Mowat
Officer of the Order of Canada (BA 1949 UC) Writer and environmentalist Farley Mowat is one of Canada’s most widely read authors. His affinity for nature and... Read more... |
 Michael Ondaatje
(BA 1965 UC) Poet, novelist, editor, and filmmaker Michael Ondaatje is one of the most influential figures in Canadian... Read more... |
 Charles Pachter
Officer of the Order of Canada (BA 1964 UC) Leading contemporary artist Charles Pachter has been described as the artist who created Canada’s modern mythology... Read more... |
 Helen Gardiner Phelan
Member of the Order of Canada (BA 1940 UC) Child actress, businesswoman, hospital leader, and philanthropist, Helen Gardiner Phelan left a lasting impact. A... Read more... |
 Wilfred Posluns
(BCom 1955 UC) Business and community leader Wilfred Posluns was a dominant figure in the retail fashion industry in Canada. As... Read more... |
 Dr. Marilyn Powell
(BA 1960 UC) Marilyn Powell is an award-winning writer, broadcaster, and producer, best known for her work on CBC Radio's... Read more... |
 Dr. Louis Rasminsky
Companion of the Order of Canada (BA 1928 UC) Educated at UC and the London School of Economics, Louis Rasminsky worked for the League of Nations through the... Read more... |
 Dr. Joan Randall
(BA 1949 UC) Community leader Joan Randall’s level of public involvement is exemplary. She has dedicated a great deal of time... Read more... |
 Reuben Richman
(BA 1956 UC) Olympian, attorney, and accountant Reuben “Ruby” Richman is a leading figure in the sport of basketball, both... Read more... |
 Dr. John Josiah Robinette
Companion of the Order of Canada (BA 1926) Lawyer John Josiah Robinette was perhaps the greatest Canadian barrister of the twentieth century. During his 62-... Read more... |
 David A. Rosenberg
(BA 1983 UC) Investors and the media alike consistently look to economist David A. Rosenberg for insightful financial... Read more... |
 Prof. Jeffrey S. Rosenthal
Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (BSc 1988 UC) Statistician and best-selling author Jeffrey Rosenthal has a knack for explaining probability concepts to expert... Read more... |
 Dr. Mark Rowswell
Member of the Order of Canada (BA 1988 UC) Entertainer and cultural ambassador Mark Rowswell has built bridges between Canada and China. Widely known in China... Read more... |
 Dr. Douglas Salmon
(BA 1951 UC) Pioneering physician and scholar Douglas Salmon was the first black surgeon in Canada. The orphaned son of Jamaican... Read more... |
 Dr. William Saywell
Member of the Order of Canada; Member of the Order of British Columbia (BA 1960 UC) Higher education leader and scholar William Saywell is the author of several books on Chinese history and current... Read more... |
 Paul Shaffer
Officer of the Order of Canada (BA 1971 UC) Band leader and television personality Paul Shaffer is the musical director of The Late Show With David... Read more... |
 Dr. Frank Shuster
Officer of the Order of Canada (BA 1939 UC) Comedian Frank Shuster was one half of the iconic Canadian comedy duo Wayne and Shuster. Along with UC... Read more... |
 Arnold Smith
Officer of the Order of Canada; Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (BA c.1930 UC) Arnold Smith was the first secretary-general of the Commonwealth. A Rhodes scholar, he held diplomatic appointments... Read more... |
 The Rev. Dr. Wilfred Cantwell Smith
Officer of the Order of Canada (BA 1938 UC) Religious historian Wilfred Cantwell Smith was an early and influential proponent of interfaith dialogue. An expert... Read more... |
 Dr. Charles Perry Stacey
Officer of the Order of Canada (BA 1927 UC) Colonel Charles Perry Stacey was the official historian of the Canadian army during WWII. He held a doctorate in... Read more... |
 Dr. Mary Alice Stuart
Member of the Order of Canada; Member of the Order of Ontario (BA 1949 UC) Community titan Mary Alice Stuart was a driving force in education, healthcare, business, and the arts. She... Read more... |
 Dr. Margaret Visser
(BA 1970 UC) Award-winning writer and broadcaster Margaret Visser’s chosen subject matter is the history, anthropology, and... Read more... |
 Dr. Patrick Watson
Companion of the Order of Canada (BA 1951 UC) For more than five decades, Patrick Watson has played a key role in the development of Canadian television, as... Read more... |
 Prof. Leonard Waverman
(BA 1964 UC) Economist and higher education leader Leonard Waverman is an expert in the productivity impact of... Read more... |
 Johnny Wayne
(BA 1940 UC) Legendary comedian Johnny Wayne is remembered as the madcap half of the iconic Canadian comedy duo Wayne and... Read more... |
 Kay Worthington
(BA 1983 UC) Two-time Olympic gold medalist Kay Worthington is an example of perseverance and dedication. As a student at UC,... Read more... |
 Dr. Rose Wolfe
Member of the Order of Canada; Member of the Order of Ontario (BA 1938 UC) University administrator, social worker, and philanthropist Rose Wolfe has worked tirelessly to improve public life... Read more... |
 Elwy Yost
Member of the Order of Canada (BA 1948 UC) Television personality Elwy Yost was best known as the avuncular host of TVO’s Saturday Night at the Movies... Read more... |
