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TRENTU.CA / Leadership & Governance / Chancellor / Past Chancellors / William Lewis Morton

William Lewis Morton

William Lewis Morton (1908 - 1980)

O.C., M.A., B.LITT., LL.D., D.LITT., F.R.HIST.S.
Third Chancellor (1977 to 1980)

The late Professor William Morton was a highly respected historian who served Trent in many roles. He was a professor of History in Trent’s early days, the first Master of Champlain College, and later became the Vanier Professor and Chancellor of the University.

Professor Morton was born in Gladstone, Manitoba and educated at the University of Manitoba and at Oxford University where he attended as a Rhodes Scholar. A distinguished and prolific author, Professor Morton’s work focused on the history of Canada and on university governance topics. Renowned for his studies of Canada's west and north, he was author of The Canadian Identity (1961) and other works, and was executive editor of the 17-volume Canadian Centenary Series, A History of Canada. His extensive teaching experience included appointments at St. John's College, United College, Brandon College, and the University of Manitoba where he was Professor of History and Provost of University College until his appointment to Trent University in 1966. Professor Morton had a close interest in university governance, and was the author of a number of articles on university governance in Canada.

Professor Morton was the first representative of a university Senate to be elected to full membership of the Board of Governors of any university in Ontario. He was President of the Canadian Historical Association, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a recipient of honorary degrees from several Canadian universities. Professor Morton died on December 7, 1980. His distinction as a scholar, his renown as a senior Canadian academic, and his service in public affairs are known across Canada and beyond.

Each year Trent University hosts the W.L. Morton lecture series, inviting a leading Canadian scholar to give a public lecture on their work, and also to lead an intimate seminar primarily for graduate students. Organized by the History Department, this annual lecture series is named in honour of W.L. Morton.

Chancellor

  • Stephen Stohn
  • Past Chancellors
    • Leslie Miscampbell Frost
    • Eugene Alfred Forsey
    • William Lewis Morton
    • Jean Margaret Wemyss Laurence
    • John Josiah Robinette
    • Frederick Kenneth Hare
    • Mary May Simon
    • Peter John Gzowski
    • Roberta Lynn Bondar
    • Tom Jackson
    • Don Tapscott

Chancellor in the News

  • June 7, 2019: “You are the New Hope:” Trent University’s 12th Chancellor Inspires Grads
  • March 13, 2019: Canadian Entertainment Industry Powerhouse Stephen Stohn Appointed Chancellor of Trent University
  • December 20, 2018: Chancellor Talks Technology and the Social Contract with Leanpub Co-founder Dr. Len Epp
  • December 08, 2017: Partnership is Key: City of Peterborough Presents Trent University with Key to the City
  • November 20, 2017: Trent Chancellor Named #1 Digital Thinker in the World
  • October 06, 2017: Trent Hosts Discussion on Creating a Canadian University of the Arctic
  • May 16, 2017: $100,000 Philosophy Endowment Unleashed at Trent University
  • March 17, 2017: Toronto-based blockchain institute launched
  • January 23, 2016: The blockchain: big opportunity or big danger?
  • July 02, 2015: Trent University chancellor Donald Tapscott named to Order of Canada

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