J.S. Thomson, University President, sitting on a chesterfield with his wife and daughter; lamp in background.

Bio/Historical Note: James Sutherland Thomson was born in Stirling, Scotland, in 1904. He received his Masters degree from Glasgow University in 1914, majoring in philosophy. During World War I he served with the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders from 1915-1917 when he transferred to the Rifle Brigade. He studied theology at Trinity College, Glasgow, and was ordained in the Church of Scotland in 1920. Upon moving to Canada in 1930, he accepted an appointment as professor of systematic theology and philosophy of religion at Pine Hill Divinity Hall (now part of the Atlantic School of Theology) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. From 1937 to 1949, he was the second president of the University of Saskatchewan. During World War II, he was general manager of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation from 1942 to 1943. In 1949, he became dean of the newly formed Faculty of Divinity at McGill University and also served there as professor of religious studies. He retired as dean in 1957. From 1956 to 1958, he served as Moderator of the United Church of Canada, elected by the 17th General Council at their meeting in Windsor, Ontario. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1942.He received an Honourary Degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1951. Thomson died in Montreal in 1972.