File B1974-0038 - Bladen, Vincent Wheeler (oral history)

Born August 14, 1900 in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Died in Toronto November 26, 1981. Professor of Economics in the Department of Political Economy (1940-1969). Prof. Bladen joined the University of Toronto in 1921 as an instructor after graduating from Balliol College, Oxford. He became a professor in 1940. In addition to teaching and writing, Prof. Bladen held a number of administrative posts including director of the Institute of Industrial Relations (1946-1950), Director of the Institute of Business Administration (1950-1953) and chair of the Department of Political Economy (1953-1959). He was made Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science in 1959.

His academic interests included Canadian economic affairs, industrial organization and the 'literature of political economy'. In 1961 he investigated the auto industry and his report resulted in the establishment of the Adjustment Assistance Board, which he headed for several years. In 1965 he headed the Royal Commission on Higher Education which predicted a mushrooming demand for university programs and recommended government aid to provide the needed facilities.

He retired in 1969 and was made an officer of the Order of Canada in 1976.