McGill Library
McLennan Library Building3459 rue McTavish
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 0C9
Person
Currie, Arthur, Sir, 1875-1933
1875-1933
Born in Napperton, Ontario, Arthur Currie went to British Columbia as a schoolteacher, but eventually became a businessman in Victoria. At the outbreak of World War I, he was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the militia, and commanded the Vancouver Highland Battalion in the First Canadian Contingent. Thus began a highly successful military career which culminated in 1917 with his succession of Sir Julian Byng as commander of the Canadian Corps. Currie was knighted by King George V on the battlefield in 1918. Upon his return to Canada in 1919, he was appointed inspector-general of the Canadian militia. In 1920 he became Principal of McGill, a position he held until his death in 1933.