Larkin Kerwin

20th Rector of Université Laval

1972-1977

Larkin Kerwin was born in Québec City and studied at St. Francis Xavier University, University of Toronto, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Université Laval.

From 1946 to 1989, Mr. Kerwin taught physics at Université Laval. From 1972 to 1977, he served as the 20th rector of Université Laval. He was also the first layperson to become rector, succeeding Mgr Louis-Albert Vachon, who had served in the position for 12 years.

During his long and distinguished career, Mr. Kerwin was president (or chair, as applicable) of the Canadian Association of Physicists (1954-1955), the Academy of Science (1973-1974), the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (1974-1975), the Royal Society of Canada (1976-1977), the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (1987-1990), and the Canadian Academy of Engineering (1989-1990).

After completing his tenure as rector at Université Laval, Mr. Kerwin served as president of the National Research Council of Canada (1980-1989) and president of the Canadian Space Agency (1989-1992).

Mr. Kerwin was honoured numerous times over the course of his career. Not only was he the recipient of 15 honorary doctorates and four fellowships, he was also a Companion of the Order of Canada, an Officer of the Order of Québec, an Officer of the Legion of Honour of France and a Knight Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulchre (Rome). He was also a member emeritus of ACFAS and a member of the Académie des Grands Québécois.

Larkin Kerwin died on May 1, 2004.

Read the tribute given during his memorial ceremony by the rector of Université Laval.