Memorable Manitobans: Hugh Hamilton Saunderson (1904-1984)

Hugh Hamilton Saunderson Click to enlarge

Scientist, educator.

Born at Winnipeg in November 1904, son of Hugh Hamilton Saunderson and Lena Dunham DuVal (1878-1918), he attended Kelvin High School and the University of Manitoba, obtaining a BA degree in 1924 with the University Gold Medal. He taught at Kenton School (1925-1926) then returned to Winnipeg to attend the University of Manitoba, obtained BSc (1929) and MSc (1930, Chemistry) degrees. He studied at McGill University, where he was awarded a PhD in Chemistry in 1932.

He then taught at the University of Manitoba, becoming Professor of Chemistry and Dean of Arts and Sciences in 1945. From 1947 to 1951 he was Director of the Division of Information Services for the National Research Council, then went to the Department of Defence Production until 1954, and returned to the University of Manitoba as its sixth President in 1954, the first graduate of the university to hold its highest office. He was President of the Manitoba Educational Association (1946-1947), and a member of the Scientific Club of Winnipeg (1934-1963).

He retired in 1970, after having shepherded the university through a major growth period. His autobiography was published in 1981 as The Saunderson Years. He held many important national and provincial offices, including the Presidency of the National Conference of Canadian Universities and Colleges (1959-1960), Presidency of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Presidency of the Canadian Club of Winnipeg, and Presidency of the Sanatorium Board of Manitoba (1975-1978). Saunderson had honorary degrees from the University of Alberta, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba, and McGill University. In 1970, he was inducted into the Manitoba Order of the Buffalo Hunt and received the Manitoba Centennial Medal, Good Citizenship Award, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Manitoba.

He is commemorated by Saunderson Street at the Fort Garry Campus of the University of Manitoba. His papers are at the University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections.

Sources:

The History of the Manitoba Educational Association by Ernest Butterworth, MEd thesis, Faculty of Graduate Study and Research, University of Manitoba, 1965.

Cradle to Combine: Kenton, 1881-1981 by Kenton History Committee, 1981. [Manitoba Legislative Library, F5648.K45]

Dictionary of Manitoba Biography by John M. “Jack” Bumsted, Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 1999.

“Six Manitobans to receive good citizenship awards,” Winnipeg Tribune, 18 November 1970.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 9 October 2022

Memorable Manitobans This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!