Access
Entrance via Bovey Building, through three sets of doors; no auto doors
Elevators
Freight elevator through doors from Bovey, in hall on left
Parking
P34 off South Ring Road extension
Washrooms
Unisex washroom on third floor; turn right off elevator
“He taught men to think”; perhaps one of the greatest compliments anyone could pay to William Richard Graham (1875-1958). Known as ‘Prof’, Graham was appointed lecturer and head of the Department of Poultry, and held the position for 41 years. During that time, Graham had many significant research breakthroughs but, even more importantly, he inspired others and taught them to understand scientific methods and procedures. As evidence, many of his students went on to make major contributions in a variety of fields.
Graham’s own research made him famous, as he formulated a porridge for chicks that was used in the development of Pablum at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. Graham Hall was built in 1913 for poultry and nutritional research.
William Richard Graham 1875-1958
Head, Department of Poultry, Ontario Agricultural College, 1899–1940
William Graham was born on a farm near Belleville, Ontario, in 1875. He returned to the family farm after receiving a BSA degree from the Ontario Agricultural College in 1894. He was appointed lecturer and head of the Department of Poultry at his alma mater in 1899, and held that position for 41 years.
Graham’s basic scientific thinking inspired the development of the modern poultry industry. Among his numerous accomplishments, he pioneered progeny test breeding for egg production, developed an OAC strain of Barred Plymouth Rock chickens and a record-of-performance in poultry incubation, improved ventilation in incubators and poultry houses, and encouraged the adoption of national grades for eggs. Graham’s research in nutrition created a formulated porridge for chicks that was used in the development of Pablum at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children.
As well as being a brilliant researcher, Graham was able to inspire others and teach them to understand scientific methods and procedures. Under his leadership, the quality of scholarship in the Poultry Department increased significantly, farmers adopted new technologies, and many of his students went on to make major contributions in a variety of fields.
Graham’s vision helped to establish the Poultry Science Association, the World Poultry Science Association, the Ontario Hatchery Supply Flock Policy, the Canadian Produce Association and the Ontario Poultry Council.
He was named a fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada in 1929 and the Poultry Association in 1933. Other honours included an honorary degree from the University of Toronto in 1938, induction into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1975, and being named Canada’s Poultryman of the Century by the Ontario Poultry Council.
Known affectionately as the “Prof,” Graham’s legacy is reflected best by the plaque on the building that bears his name. It says simply “he taught men to think.”
The plaque is located on the main floor inside the entrance doors.
For more information about the Historical Walking Tour, please contact:
Alumni Affairs & Development
(519) 824-4120 ext. 56934
alumni@uoguelph.ca