Loudon, Thomas Richardson

"Tom" Loudon was born in Toronto on September 1, 1883, the son of William James Loudon and Gertrude Alice (Richardson) Loudon. He was educated at Harbord Collegiate and subsequently at the University of Toronto, graduating with a BASc (Honours in Engineering) in 1906. He followed the examples of the long association of his father and great-uncle with the University, for he was closely linked with it for the rest of his life. Appointed a demonstrator in drawing in the Faculty of Applied Science in 1906, he became a sessional lecturer in drawing the next year. In 1911 he was promoted to lecturer in metallurgy and three years later he became Assistant Professor in ferro-metallurgy, one of the first to be accorded that status. Returning from leave of absence in 1919 and having completed a course in metallurgy at Columbia University, he was promoted once again to the position of Associate Professor. In 1926 he became a full Professor of applied mechanics, with aeronautical engineering being added to his duties a decade later. In 1943, he was apppointed Head of the Department of Civil Engineering and two years later, when the Department of Aeronautical Engineering was established, he became its head as well. He continued to hold both positions until his retirement in June of 1954. He died on January 6, 1968.