William Tassie LLD

Dr. William Tassie’s school for boys at Galt was one of Canada’s outstanding educational institutions. This Irishman from Dublin came to Canada with his bride in 1834. He taught at Oakville and at the Gore District School in Hamilton, and became headmaster of the Galt Grammar School in 1853. He received his BA in 1856, his MA in 1858, and the honorary degree of LLD from Queen’s University in 1871.

Under his leadership the school expanded rapidly and became one of the first four Collegiate Institutes in Ontario. Boys came from Quebec, Ontario, the Maritimes, the northern and southern United States, and the West Indies. Tassie, in addition, supervised four boarding homes for the boys.

When it was ruled that girls should receive their secondary education along with boys, Tassie resigned. He then administered and taught his private boys’ school in Toronto. He was principal of the Peterborough Secondary School when he died.