Albert Trueman
Encyclopedia
Albert William Trueman, OC
, FRSC
(January 17, 1902 – June 29, 1988) was a teacher, professor, cultural and university administrator.
between 1907 and 1913), he was educated in Canada and Britain. The family lived in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia
after 1913, where his father taught at the Agricultural College
. Trueman attended high school in Truro, Nova Scotia
and graduated from Mount Allison University
in 1927. He finished his Master of Arts degree in English Literature at Exeter College, Oxford University in 1932. He then served as a high school teacher, a school superintendent, and later as a university administrator, serving as President of the University of Manitoba
between 1945 and 1948, and President of the University of New Brunswick
from 1948 until 1953. He was Principal and Dean of University College at the University of Western Ontario
from 1965 until 1967. He was Chancellor
of the University of Western Ontario from 1967 until 1971. He returned to academic life and had an extended term as visiting professor of English at Carleton University
in Ottawa
from 1967-1981.
He also had a distinguished career as a cultural administrator, first as Government Film Commissioner and Chairman of the National Film Board of Canada
from 1953 to 1957, and then as the first Director of the newly created Canada Council
for the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, serving from 1957- 1965. In these positions, he made major contributions to Canadian cultural policies, primarily by promoting the roles and influence of both agencies. He also served on the Board of Governors of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
(CBC).
He was given many honorary degrees. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
since 1964, and was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada
in 1974. He published A Second View of Things: A Memoir in 1982 (Young, 1985), (Ottawa Citizen, 1988), (Creighton, 1992).
His son Peter Trueman
, himself a well-known television journalist, remembered his father in the memorial entry for the Royal Society:
Order of Canada
The 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...
, FRSC
Royal Society of Canada
The 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...
(January 17, 1902 – June 29, 1988) was a teacher, professor, cultural and university administrator.
Biography
Though born in the US (his New Brunswick-born father Dr. John Main Trueman taught college in Storrs, ConnecticutStorrs, Connecticut
Storrs is a census-designated place and part of the town of Mansfield, Connecticut located in eastern Tolland County. The population was 10,996 at the 2000 census...
between 1907 and 1913), he was educated in Canada and Britain. The family lived in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia
Bible Hill, Nova Scotia
Bible Hill is a Canadian village in Colchester County, Nova Scotia. It lies on the north bank of the Salmon River, opposite the town of Truro.Bible Hill functions as a suburb of Truro with several residential subdivisions...
after 1913, where his father taught at the Agricultural College
Nova Scotia Agricultural College
Nova Scotia Agricultural College is a Canadian university college located in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia, a village near the town of Truro. NSAC was officially founded February 14, 1905. In the early years, NSAC focused on educating farmers in aspects of field and animal husbandry...
. Trueman attended high school in Truro, Nova Scotia
Truro, Nova Scotia
-Education:Truro has one high school, Cobequid Educational Centre. Post-secondary options include a campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, as well as the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in the neighboring town of Bible Hill.- Sports :...
and graduated from Mount Allison University
Mount Allison University
Mount Allison University is a primarily undergraduate Canadian liberal arts and science university situated in Sackville, New Brunswick. It is located about a half hour from the regional city of Moncton and 20 minutes from the Greater Moncton International Airport...
in 1927. He finished his Master of Arts degree in English Literature at Exeter College, Oxford University in 1932. He then served as a high school teacher, a school superintendent, and later as a university administrator, serving as President of the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
between 1945 and 1948, and President of the University of New Brunswick
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
from 1948 until 1953. He was Principal and Dean of University College at the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
from 1965 until 1967. He was Chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of the University of Western Ontario from 1967 until 1971. He returned to academic life and had an extended term as visiting professor of English at 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...
in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
from 1967-1981.
National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada is Canada's twelve-time Academy Award-winning public film producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary, animation, alternative drama and digital media productions...
from 1953 to 1957, and then as the first Director of the newly created 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...
for the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, serving from 1957- 1965. In these positions, he made major contributions to Canadian cultural policies, primarily by promoting the roles and influence of both agencies. He also served on the Board of Governors of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
(CBC).
He was given many honorary degrees. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Royal Society of Canada
The 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...
since 1964, and was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The 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 1974. He published A Second View of Things: A Memoir in 1982 (Young, 1985), (Ottawa Citizen, 1988), (Creighton, 1992).
His son Peter Trueman
Peter Trueman
Peter Trueman, O.C. is a Canadian television and radio personality. He is best known for his work for the Global Television Network between 1974 and July 1988...
, himself a well-known television journalist, remembered his father in the memorial entry for the Royal Society:
Publications
- Trueman, A. W. (1946). The Story of the United Empire Loyalists, Toronto, ON: Copp Clark Co.
- MacNutt, W. Stewart (1952), edited by A.W. Trueman. New Brunswick and Its People: The Biography of a Canadian Province , Fredericton, NB: New Brunswick Travel Bureau
- Trueman, A. W. (1952). Canada's University of New Brunswick: Its History and Its Development, New York & Montreal: Newcomen Society in North America.
- Trueman, A. W., Canadian Editor, with Wright, E.H. and Wright, M. H. (1957). Richards Topical Encyclopedia, New York, NY: Richards Company.
- Trueman, A. W., Davies, Robertson, Berton, Pierre; edited by D.C. Williams (1962). The Arts as Communication, Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press.
- Trueman, A. W. (1963). The Canada Council and the Culture of the Country, Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria
- Trueman, Albert (1982). A Second View of Things: A Memoir, Toronto, ON: McClelland & Stewart. ISBN 0-7710-8638-5
Sources
- Claude Bissel, "Introduction" in Trueman, Albert (1982). A Second View of Things: A Memoir, Toronto, ON: McClelland & Stewart. ISBN 0-7710-8638-5
- Christopher Young, "Government Interference in the Canada Council Goes Back Decades", Montreal, PQ: The Gazette, Thursday, August 8, 1985, P. B1.
- Staff Writer. "Former NFB Chairman Known as Great Educator", Ottawa, ON: The Ottawa Citizen, Monday, July 4, 1988, p. C2.
- Judy Creighton, "Trueman Loves Leisure", Windsor, ON: Windsor Star, Thursday, July 30, 1992, p. C9.
- Peter Trueman, "Albert William Trueman, 1902-1988", Ottawa, ON: Proceedings of the Royal Society of Canada, Seventh Series, Volume 1, 2002