BASc, PEng
1896 Mining Diploma
Inducted: 1983
James Watson Bain joined the School of Practical Science in 1897 as a Fellow in Metallurgy, and remained for over 50 years, rising to become, in 1920, head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, a position he held until his retirement, in 1946, from the University of Toronto.
He was instrumental in establishing the first course in Chemical engineering in a Canadian university at the University of Toronto, and influential in developing the discipline of Chemical Engineering in Canada. He was an advisor and consultant to a variety of industries.
During World War I, he acted as liaison officer for the explosives program of the Canadian War Mission in Washington.
He was a founder, and the first President of the Canadian Institute of Chemistry, a forerunner of the present Chemical Institute of Canada. Among his many honours and awards, he was the first recipient, in 1939, of the Society of Chemical Industry (Canada) Medal.
Achievements
- Made an outstanding contribution to chemical progress in Canada
- President of Royal Canadian Institution 1948, its centenary year
- Honourary LL.D. conferred upon him by University of Toronto (1948)