Head and shoulders image of Dr. Rodger J. Manning, Department of Chemistry, 1916-1946.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Rodger James Manning was born in Ontario in 1884. He received his university education at Toronto and Bristol, where he obtained a DSc in 1913. After a period of time in Germany and Toronto he joined the Department of Chemistry at the University of Saskatchewan in 1916 at a time when the departmental staff consisted of four members. Dr. Manning played an active and important role in the early development of the Chemistry Department and of the University through the difficult times of two world wars, and the severe depression of the 30s. Dr. Manning’s specialty was biochemistry and as the only biochemist at the U of S for thirty years until his retirement in 1946, he taught many science students and all the students enrolled in the pre-clinical medical program which was then in existence. Dr. Manning and his graduate students also made important research contributions in the field of liver enzymes, yeast fermentations and digestive processes. His contribution to the life of the university was not confined to teaching and research. A gifted and trained singer, Dr. Manning started the first choral group at the U of S in 1916 and was leader for 14 years. He received an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the U of S in 1970. Dr. Manning died in Victoria in 1974 at age 90.