Thomas Symons

Thomas Henry Bull Symons (1929 –2021) was a Canadian professor and author in the field of Canadian studies.

Early life and education Thomas Henry Bull Symons was born in Toronto on 30 May 1929, the son of writer Harry Lutz Symons and Dorothy Sarah Bull. His brother is writer Scott Symons. He studied at Crescent School and Upper Canada College, then earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Trinity College, Toronto in 1951. After graduation, he attended Oriel College, Oxford, from which he earned another BA (1953) and a Master of Arts (1957). with the first students entering in the 1964-65 school year. Under his leadership, the university established Canada's first Indigenous studies program. While at Trent University, Symons was a proponent of Canadian studies, including helping to found the Journal of Canadian Studies.

Starting in 1978, Symons served as the founding vice-president of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, a position he held until 1984.

He was also the chairperson of the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service.

Symons retired in 1994. His leadership in universities and in Commonwealth Studies was discussed in Donald Markwell, "Instincts to Lead": On Leadership, Peace, and Education (Connor Court, 2013).

Personal life Symons married Christine Ryerson on 17 August 1963. They had three children.

Honours 1976: he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, then was promoted to Companion in 1997. 1981: he received an honorary doctorate from Concordia University. 1984: he received the Award of Merit from the Association for Canadian Studies. 1998: he received the Governor General's International Award for Canadian Studies. 2002: he was awarded the Order of Ontario. 2012: he was made a Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester 2012: he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal He is an Honorary Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford.

Works Meta Incognita: A Discourse of Discovery - Martin Frobisher's Arctic Expeditions, 1576 - 1578 (1999) To Know Ourselves: The Report of the Commission on Canadian Studies (1975)