George Edwin Britnell

George Edwin Britnell

George Edwin Britnell, political economist, professor (b at London, Eng 9 June 1903; d at Saskatoon 14 Oct 1961). Head of the Department of Economics and Political Science at the University of Saskatchewan from 1938 until his death, Britnell also served as university administrator, government adviser and royal commissioner and was Canadian delegate to 3 international economic conferences. For 16 years he was special adviser on transportation to the Saskatchewan government and, with V.C. FOWKE, won retention of the CROW'S NEST PASS AGREEMENT on grain rates.

In addition to a distinguished academic publishing career, he was also president of the Canadian Political Science Association 1956-57, chairman of the Canadian Social Science Research Council 1956-58 and representative to the International Economic Association. Elected fellow of the Royal Society of Canada 1950, he was the first Harold Innis Visiting Research Professor of Political Economy at University of Toronto in 1954.