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Sidney Earle Smith




Born and raised on Nova Scotia 's Port Hood Island , he grew up speaking both English and Gaelic . He was an excellent student, and became a lawyer and a professor of Law . He lectured at Osgoode Hall , and then at Dalhousie University , By 1929 , he was Dean of Dalhousie's law school. In 1934 , he left the Maritimes to become President Of The University Of Manitoba . In 1945 , he was appointed president of the President Of The University Of Toronto . He remained in that role for twelve years, overseeing the university's greatest period of expansion.

Long a strong Conservative, but very much in the Red Tory tradition, Smith became a prominent member of the Progressive Conservative Party . In 1956 , he was considered a possibility for the party's leadership, but decided not to run, disappointing those who wished to prevent the populist John Diefenbaker from becoming leader.

After Diefenbaker won a surprise minority government in 1957 , Smith was appointed as Secretary of State for External Affairs. Despite Smith's brilliance and popularity in academia, his success in this new role was limited. After holding the position for two years, Smith died suddenly of a stroke in 1959 .

Sidney Smith Hall, the main Arts & Science building at the University Of Toronto , is named after him.

  Before John Diefenbaker
  Title Secretary Of State For External Affairs
  Years 13 September 1957 &ndash 17 March 1959


  Before Henry John Cody
  Title President of the University Of Toronto
  Years 1945 - 1957



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