Gordon Douglas Killam PhD (1930 - 2020)

Ancestors

Died 17 Nov 2020 at age 90 in Guelph, Wellington, Ontario, Canada

Biography

Douglas’ family tree:

• 3rd Great Grandparents: Cyprian Killam (1767-1863) and Nancy Black (1783-1857)
• 2nd Great Grandparents: William Black Killam (1800-1851) and Mary (1804-1891)
• Great Grandparents: George Barrett Killam (1845-1882) and Prior Ann Schofield
• Grandparents: Jacob Scofield Killam (1871-1957) and Mary Russell (1870-1941)
• Parents: Harry Killam (1902-1987) and Margaret Marion Currie (1902-1969)

Career

• Television Producer, CBC, Vancouver, 1956-1960
• Lecturer (English), Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone, 1963-1965
• Assistant Professor (English), University of Alberta, 1965-1966
• Lecturer (English), University of Ibadan, Nigeria, 1966-1967
• Senior Lecturer (English), University of Lagos, Nigeria, 1967-1968
• Assistant Professor, York University, 1968-1969
• Associate Professor, York University, 1969-1973
• Professor & Chair (Literature), University of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, 1970-1971
• External Examiner, University of Nairobi, 1971-1972
• Founding Master, Bethune College, York University, 1971-1973
• Dean of Arts, Professor & Dept. Head (English), Acadia University, 1973-1976
• External Examiner, University of Alberta, 1974
• External Examiner, University of Ottawa, 1977
• Department Head (English), University of Guelph, 1977-2002

Awards & Honours

• Canada Council research grants
• 1967 for study of J.M. Stuart Young
• 1971 for compiling bibliography of English fiction presenting Africa
• 1976 English Literature at Acadia University ($2,345)
• 1980 for unknown research ($2,500) – University of Guelph
• Rockefeller Foundation research & teaching fellowship, 1970-1971
• SSHRC Research grants, 1980 ($6,196 & $800) – University of Guelph.^[1]

An extensive biography can be found here: http://uofg.convio.net/site/TR?fr_id=2362&pg=entry

Obituary

PROFESSOR GORDON DOUGLAS KILLAM August 26, 1930 - November 17, 2020 Dr. Doug Killam died peacefully in Guelph, aged 90, of Parkinson's disease. Initially a producer with CBC Television, Doug then moved into academic life, obtaining his PhD from University College, London, in 1964. He travelled and published extensively while teaching in Africa (Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Tanzania), and taught at several Canadian universities (UBC, U of Alberta, Acadia, and York, where he was the Founding Master of Bethune College). As a pioneer in the recognition of African literature, he came to the University of Guelph where he built the Department of English into a noted centre for Post-Colonial studies. His many books and articles included the first academic study of the now-acclaimed Nigerian writer, Chinua Achebe, a life-long friend. Predeceased by his parents Harry and Margaret Killam of B.C., Doug lost his beloved wife Shelagh (née Anderson) in 1996. He leaves behind his children, Sach and Sarah, daughter-in-law Libby, granddaughters Olivia and Gracey, and companion, Prof. Mary Rubio. Doug was a man of prodigious energy, ability, and personal warmth, and a noted storyteller with a deeply ironic sense of humour. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the 'Doug Killam Tribute Fund' at the University of Guelph: http://uofg.convio.net/site/TR?fr_id=2362&pg=entry

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store. Published in The Globe and Mail from Dec. 12 to Dec. 16, 2020.

Sources

1. ↑ Compiled by Mary Walsh, provided by Mary Rubia both of U of Guelph

• https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theglobeandmail/obituary.aspx?n=gordon-douglas-killam&pid=197272373

See Also

An extensive biography can be found here: http://uofg.convio.net/site/TR?fr_id=2362&pg=entry