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John Ralston Saul, one of Canada’s most renowned essayists and novelists and a long-time champion of freedom of expression, has been appointed a distinguished visiting professor at Ryerson University’s Faculty of Arts. His appointment is for a three-year term.

An award-winning non-fiction and fiction author and accomplished public speaker, Saul has been declared a “prophet” by TIME magazine, and is included in Utne Reader’s prestigious list of the world’s 100 leading thinkers and visionaries. His works have been translated into 22 languages in 30 countries.

“We welcome John Ralston Saul to Ryerson University, and our students and faculty look forward to the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with him,” said Mohamed Lachemi, provost and vice president academic. “His astute insights on human nature, modern politics and economic systems have greatly enhanced intellectual discourse in Canada.”

As a distinguished visiting professor, Saul will help plan and participate in an annual John Ralston Saul Big Idea public discussion series. He will also deliver a lecture to undergraduate students, participate in a graduate learning event, advise on mutually relevant partnerships and pursue independent research.

“As a key figure in Canadian literature and a thought leader on the complexities of modern society, John Ralston Saul will make a meaningful contribution to Ryerson’s academic community,” said Jean-Paul Boudreau, dean, Faculty of Arts. “His considerable experience as a writer, speaker and advocate for many causes will enhance learning and promote partnership building.”

“The work of Ryerson University at the core of one of the world’s most experimental cities is important and moving.  I am looking forward to playing a role both with the students and within the public debate which Ryerson encourages,” said Saul.

Saul is perhaps best known for his philosophical trilogy, Voltaire's Bastards: The Dictatorship of Reason in the West, The Doubter's Companion: A Dictionary of Aggressive Common Sense and The Unconscious Civilization, and the subsequent meditation on this series, On Equilibrium: Six Qualities of the New Humanism. He has also published six novels, and collectively, his writings have earned many accolades, including Canada’s Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction, the Pablo Neruda Medal, South Korea’s Manhae Grand Prize for Literature, The Gutenberg Galaxy Award for Literature, and a spot on Maclean’s magazine’s list of ten best non-fiction books of the 20th century.

Among Saul’s many contributions to Canadian non-fiction literature is his work as editor of the Penguin Extraordinary Canadians project, a series of 18 biographies that reinterprets important Canadian figures for a contemporary audience. Saul was elected International President of PEN International in 2009 and re-elected in 2012.  He is also co-Chair of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

Saul is a Companion in the Order of Canada, Chevalier in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France and has 17 honourary degrees. Born in Ottawa, he studied at McGill University and King’s College, University of London, where he obtained his PhD in 1972. 

Distinguished visiting appointments enable Ryerson students, faculty and staff to connect with highly regarded leaders in various fields. Learn more about Ryerson’s distinguished visiting appointments at www.ryerson.ca/provost/appointments/index.html.

Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education and a university clearly on the move. With a mission to serve societal need, and a long-standing commitment to engaging its community, Ryerson offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. Distinctly urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 38,000 students, including 2,300 master's and PhD students, nearly 2,700 faculty and staff, and more than 140,000 alumni worldwide. Research at Ryerson is on a trajectory of success and growth: externally funded research has doubled in the past four years. The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada's leading provider of university-based adult education. For more information, visit www.ryerson.ca

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Suelan Toye
Public Affairs | Ryerson University
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