In 1850, Samuel Nelles, a well-educated Methodist minister, was selected to resuscitate the debt-ridden and declining Victoria University. As principal, and later as president and chancellor, he fought against shortsighted government educational policies while making the school into one of the premier universities in Canada. A true academic, Nelles believed in the importance of testing assumed laws, dogmas, and creeds. However his pursuit of intellectual inquiry was always guided by a rational faith in God, as well as the expectation of the future greatness and goodness of humanity. Faithful Intellect expands the reader's understanding of many of the key intellectual, religious, and political concerns of nineteenth-century English Canada while providing an essential contribution to the study of Canada's system of higher education.
Two histories of the University of Toronto have been published, one in 1906 and one in 1927. Since the latter volume appeared, no comprehensive history of the University has been published. Given the size of the University and the complexity of the task, this is not entirely surprising. But, after sixty-six years, this gap in the intellectual history of Canada has been filled, and we are delighted to announce publication, in March of 2002, of Martin Friedland’s new history of one of Canada’s most important educational and cultural institutions. The author of several books on legal history, Professor Friedland brings to this task an accomplished eye and ear and a status as a long time member of the University community. Professor Friedland’s text is accompanied by over 200 maps, drawings and photographs. Published to coincide with the University’s 175th anniversary, The University of Toronto: A History tells the story of the university in the context of the history of the nation of which it is a part, weaving the stories of the people who have been a part of this institution – people who make up a who’s who in the history of Canada. Anyone who attended the University or who is interested in the growth of Canada’s intellectual heritage will enjoy this compelling and magisterial history.