THE first step towards the founding of Victoria University was taken in 1829 at the Conference of the Episcopal Methodist Church of Canada. It is here proposed in telling the story of the growth from small beginnings to depict the actors against the background of the social and political institutions of Canada which they never permitted themselves to forget and thus contributed largely to forming. It is also hoped that now after sixty years it may be possible to assess the worth of the unique attempt to reconcile the claims of church and state in respect of higher education affected in 1892 by university federation at Toronto. Since the story of Victoria College-so he called it-was recorded by Chancellor Burwash nearly forty years ago, a considerable body of relevant historical material has been acquired or made accessible.

Charles Bruce Sissons (1879–1965) graduated from Victoria University in 1901; after studying at Oxford University he returned to Victoria in 1909 to teach history as first a lecturer then Associate Professor and then Professor Emeritus.

Charles Bruce Sissons' profile page