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University of Toronto

Public research university in Toronto, Canada.

Founded in 1827, University of Toronto is a leading institution known for its research funding, influential academic movements, and groundbreaking discoveries. It comprises 11 colleges and offers numerous undergraduate and graduate programs. The university has a rich history of notable alumni and significant contributions to various fields, including insulin and stem cell research, artificial cardiac pacemaker, and deep learning technology.

Related

University of Glasgow Princeton University Harvard University University of Oxford Cornell University Duke University University of California Columbia University Yale University Dartmouth College

Timeline

University of Toronto Secularization

On 31 December 1849, King's College was secularized and transformed into the University of Toronto on 1 January 1850, becoming a nondenominational institution.

Expansion of University of Toronto Chairs

As part of the reorganization of the University of Toronto, five new chairs are advertised for various subjects including history and English literature, modern languages, natural philosophy, natural history, geology and mineralogy, and civil engineering. However, the chair for civil engineering was never filled.

Incorporation of Trinity College

An Act is passed to incorporate Trinity College, which opens on 15 January 1852. Degree granting rights are provided in 1853 with the issuing of a Royal Charter. The College buildings were constructed in what is now Trinity Bellwoods Park on Queen Street West.

Establishment of Chair of History and English Literature

The Chair of History and English Literature is established in August 1852 and filled the following year by Daniel Wilson, a Scottish antiquarian and advocate for non-denominational education.

University College Literary and Scientific Society established

On February 22, 1854, the University College Literary and Scientific Society was founded, becoming the first student society on campus. Initiated by Daniel Wilson, the professor of History and English Literature, this society, known as 'the Lit', remains the oldest continuously operating student organization in English-speaking Canada.

Establishment of Building Committee for University College Construction

The Senate establishes a Building Committee to oversee the construction of University College, with Frederic Cumberland appointed as University Architect.

Laying of Cornerstone for University College Building

The cornerstone for the University College building is laid, marking the beginning of its construction under the architects Cumberland and Storm.

Adoption of the arms of the University of Toronto

Professor Daniel Wilson proposes and the Senate adopts the arms of the University of Toronto, including symbols like open books, a beaver, an imperial crown, Minerva, Victory, and a maple tree.

University College Opens

University College welcomed students for the first time after three years of construction, in a town with a population of 30,000 where cows roamed the fields behind the College.

University Federation Act

The University Federation Act establishes a University Council to oversee faculty work and supervise student societies. It also provides for the re-establishment of the faculties of medicine and law.

Change of Name to Trinity Medical College

Trinity Medical School changes its name to Trinity Medical College after receiving financial support from Trinity College to upgrade its facilities and compete against the U of T.

Foundation of the School of Dentistry in Toronto

The School of Dentistry was established in Toronto by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons and later affiliated with the University of Toronto. The first DDS degrees were awarded in 1889.

Victoria University federates with the U of T

Victoria University agrees to federate with the University of Toronto, and the University Federation Act related to Victoria University is officially proclaimed on October 12, 1890.

Fire at University College

A fire broke out at University College, destroying the East Wing and much of the South Front, including the University library, museum, and Convocation Hall. Significant losses were incurred, including instruments, microscopes, and trappings on loan or rented.

British Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Convention in Toronto

The British Association for the Advancement of Science, known as the 'British ASS', holds its annual convention in Toronto, hosted by the University of Toronto. This meeting marks the first large gathering of academics in Toronto and foreshadows the U of T's development as a major research center.

Cornerstone laid for Annesley Hall

The cornerstone is laid for Annesley Hall, the residence for women at Victoria College. It was seen as a significant addition to the university system and marked the beginning of a new era in women's university education in the province.

Establishment of Bachelor of Household Science degree

On December 12, 1902, the degree of Bachelor of Household Science was established by Senate Statute 481 at the University of Toronto. The first graduates convocated in 1906, marking a milestone in the recognition of household science as an academic discipline.

Federation of Trinity with the University of Toronto

In 1904, Trinity College federated with the University of Toronto on October 1, leading to the discontinuation of Trinity Medical College and the Faculties of Law, Dentistry, and Music.

Robert Alexander Falconer installed as President of the University of Toronto

On September 27, 1907, Robert Alexander Falconer was officially installed as the president of the University of Toronto.

Opening of Connaught Laboratories

Connaught Laboratories were formally opened by Governor General the Duke of Connaught on a farm purchased by Colonel Gooderham. It later merged with the Antitoxin Laboratory to form the Connaught Anti-Toxin Laboratories.

Senior Intercollegiate Hockey Team Wins Allan Cup

On March 21, 1921, the Senior Intercollegiate Hockey team of the University of Toronto defeated Brandon in Winnipeg to win the Allan Cup, the Dominion intercollegiate hockey championship.

Establishment of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.)

The first two recipients of the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) were Wilfred Pirt Mustard, a distinguished classical scholar and professor of Latin at Johns Hopkins University, and Duncan Campbell Scott, the Canadian poet.

Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded for Discovery of Insulin

The Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to John James Rickard Macleod and Frederick Grant Banting for their work on the discovery of insulin. Banting was initially unhappy about sharing the prize with Macleod instead of Charles Best.

Construction of Memorial Tower Begins

After a suggestion by an unidentified female student for a 'tower with bells', fundraising efforts led to the signing of contracts on 20 November 1922. Construction started three days later with two workmen digging on the ground.

Frederick Grant Banting and John James Rickard MacLeod awarded Nobel Prize for insulin discovery

Frederick Grant Banting and John James Rickard MacLeod were honored with the Nobel Prize for their groundbreaking discovery of insulin, a significant milestone in the history of medicine.

Establishment of School of Hygiene

The School of Hygiene is established with the aid of Rockefellet Foundation grants. It leads to the creation of the Department of Epidemiology and Biometrics and Physiological Hygiene.

Establishment of Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies

The Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies is founded within the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto's Victoria College.

Establishment of Centre for Renaissance Studies

The Senate approves the creation of the Centre for Renaissance Studies in the School of Graduate Studies to collaborate with various departments and scholars in the field, enhance library collections, and focus on translating the works of Erasmus.

Last Meeting of University of Toronto Senate

Acting President John H. Sword chairs the final regular meeting of the University of Toronto Senate. Dean F. Norman Hughes delivers the valedictory address and the name of the Department of Pathological Chemistry is changed to the Department of Clinical Biochemistry.

Governing Council becomes Supreme Governing Body of U of T

The Governing Council becomes the supreme governing body of the University of Toronto under the new University of Toronto Act, with the merging of the Board of Governors and the Senate.

Opening of Department of Rare Books and Special Collections

The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, along with the University of Toronto Archives, inaugurates in the new Rare Book Library at 120 St. George Street.

Dedication of Rare Book Library to Thomas Fisher

The Rare Book Library is dedicated and named for Thomas Fisher, whose grandsons had donated their collections to the Library. The value of the collections attracted exceeded the cost of construction.

Opening of John P. Robarts Research Library

The John P. Robarts Research Library opens to the public, becoming the largest university library building in the world and the second largest university library in North America.

University of Toronto performs the first successful single-lung transplant

In 1981, the University of Toronto achieved the first successful single-lung transplant, marking a significant milestone in the field of organ transplantation.

Discovery of Genes for Cystic Fibrosis and Alzheimer's Disease

In 1989, the University of Toronto identified the genes for cystic fibrosis and the most severe form of Alzheimer's disease, contributing to medical research.

University of Toronto 175th Anniversary Exhibition

An exhibition curated by Harold Averill as part of the University of Toronto's 175th anniversary celebrations. It showcased eight different areas of the University's past, including King's College, University College, professoriate activities in the 19th century, Victorian era students, research and academic programs pre-1950, athletics, campus theatre, and the impact of the 1960s.

University of Toronto identifies the cancer stem cell

The cancer stem cell was first identified in 1997 by researchers at the University of Toronto, leading to further investigations on stem cell associations in various types of cancer.

Invention of the World's Most Efficient Lightbulb

Gimmy Chu, Tom Rodinger, and Christian Yan, recent graduates of the University of Toronto, reveal their creation of the world's most efficient lightbulb, an LED prototype.

University of Toronto ranked fourth in the world and first in Canada by Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities

The University of Toronto was placed fourth globally and as the leading university in Canada in the 2019 Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities.

University of Toronto ranked 22nd in the world and first in Canada by Shanghai Ranking

In 2022, the University of Toronto was ranked 22nd globally and secured the top position in Canada according to the Shanghai Ranking of World Universities.

Largest Research Grant from Government of Canada

In 2023, the University of Toronto was awarded the largest ever research grant in Canada, a $200 million grant from the Government of Canada. This grant contributed to the university's research initiatives and projects.

End of the Timeline
University of Toronto

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