List of presidents of the University of Toronto

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗
President of the
University of Toronto
Melanie Woodin, the 17th president of the University of Toronto
since July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01)
University of Toronto
ResidencePresident's Estate
SeatSimcoe Hall
AppointerGoverning Council
Formation1827 (1827)
First holderJohn Strachan
Websitepresident.utoronto.ca

The University of Toronto, a public research university in Greater Toronto, Ontario, has had 17 presidents since it was founded in 1827 as King's College. The current officeholder is Melanie Woodin, who has served as president since July 1, 2025.[1]

The president is the executive head of the University of Toronto appointed by the Governing Council, of which the president is also an ex officio member, alongside the chancellor.

The president's office is located in Simcoe Hall, 27 King's College Circle on the St. George campus in downtown Toronto, and the president has living accommodations in the President's Estate, a property in the Rosedale neighbourhood of Toronto.

The first officeholder was The Reverend John Strachan, the first Anglican Bishop of Toronto, who chartered King's College under King George IV. The first president under the university's present name was The Reverend John McCaul in 1850. McCaul was also the longest-serving president, holding the office from 1848 to 1880 under various titles including the President of University College.

James Loudon was the first Canadian-born president, and served from 1892 to 1906.

The incumbent, Melanie Woodin, is an alumna of the university and the first woman to hold the office.[2]

Presidents

No. Portrait Name Term start Term end Ref.
President of King's College (1827–1850)
1 The Right Rev. John Strachan 1827 1848 [2]
President of the University of Toronto (1850–1853)
President of University College (1853–1901)
2 The Rev. John McCaul 1848 1880 [2][3]
3 Sir Daniel Wilson 1880 1892 [2][3]
President of the University of Toronto (1901–present)
4 James Loudon 1892 1906 [2][3]
5 Sir Robert Falconer 1907 1932 [2]
6 The Rev. Henry John Cody 1932 1945 [2]
7 The Hon. Sidney Earle Smith 1945 1957 [2]
8 Claude Bissell 1958 1971 [2]
acting John H. Sword 1971 1972 [4]
9 John Robert Evans 1972 1978 [2]
10 James Milton Ham 1978 1983 [2]
11 David Strangway 1983 1984 [2]
12 George Connell 1984 1990 [2]
13 Robert Prichard 1990 2000 [2]
14 Robert Birgeneau 2000 2004 [2]
interim Frank Iacobucci September 2004 (2004-09) June 2005 (2005-06) [5]
acting Vivek Goel July 1, 2005 (2005-07-01) September 30, 2005 (2005-09-30) [6]
15 C. David Naylor October 1, 2005 (2005-10-01) October 2013 (2013-10) [2]
16 Meric Gertler November 1, 2013 (2013-11-01) July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01) [2][7]
17 Melanie Woodin July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01) incumbent [2][8]

See also

References

  1. "Neuroscientist Melanie Woodin named as University of Toronto's 17th president". Global News. March 26, 2025.
  2. "History of the Position". University of Toronto.
  3. "History of the Principal". University College. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  4. "Fonds 1816 - John H. Sword fonds". Discover Archives. University of Toronto Archives and Records Management Services. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  5. "Biography for the Honourable Frank Iacobucci" (PDF). Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  6. "Minutes of the Special Governing Council Meeting (April 26, 2005)" (PDF). University of Toronto Governing Council. April 26, 2005. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  7. Lavender, Terry (November 1, 2013). "Meric Gertler takes office as U of T's 16th president". U of T News. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  8. "Neuroscientist Melanie Woodin named as University of Toronto's 17th president". Global News. March 26, 2025.