Fonds F2090 - Rupert M. Schieder Fonds

Rupert Schieder, Professor of English Literature, was born on 8 September 1915, in Fort Frances, Ontario, the son of Francis Joseph and Alice Mary Schieder. His early education was in Atitokan and Port Arthur, after which he attended Trinity College, graduating in 1938. He taught in Princeton, Ontario, and Port Arthur, Ontario, before serving in the RCAF (Radar) from 1942 to 1945. After the war he earned his MA in English from the University of Toronto in 1947. From 1951 to 1948 he taught at the Canadian Services College Royal Roads in Victoria, where he became Head of Department. During this time he completed his doctorate in English at the University of Toronto, graduating in 1954. In 1958 he returned to Trinity College, where he remained until his retirement in 1981, having achieved the rank of full Professor in 1973. After his retirement he taught literary seminars for Trinity graduates through the Office of Convocation.

Professor Schieder’s interest in music led to twenty-five years as head of the Music Committee at Hart House. He was a longstanding member of the Arts and Letters Club, a committee volunteer for the AIDS Committee of Toronto, and an inveterate traveler, visiting former students and friends around the world. He was made an Honorary Fellow of Trinity College in 1993. He served on the Executive Committee of the Friends of the Library, and was President from 1985 to 1991. In 1995 he was given an Arbor Award in recognition of his services to Trinity College and Hart House. He died in Toronto on 3 September 2008.