Balfour Currie

Who was Balfour Currie?

Balfour Watson Currie, CC FRSC was a Canadian scientist specializing in the fields of meteorology and climatology.

Born in Montana, he came to Saskatchewan at an early age. His parents moved to a farm homestead at Netherhill, near Kindersley, in the west central region of the province. Because of his pioneer heritage, he was equally comfortable with internationally renowned scientists or with farmers in the field. He came to the University of Saskatchewan as a student and received a Bachelor-level degree in Physics and a Master-level degree in Physics. His Ph.D. program at McGill University was completed in 1930.

He was a staff member of the Department of Physics at the University of Saskatchewan, was Professor of Physics Head of the Department, founder of the Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies, Dean of Graduate Studies and Vice-president, Research. Upon his retirement as Vice-president, he was appointed by the President of the University to be Special Advisor in Research Matters. Later in 1974, he became Canadian Coordinator of the International Magnetospheric Study, and gave it his fullest attention until its completion at the end of 1979. During this period, he also pursued an earlier research interest in the possible influence of solar activity on prairie weather and rainfall.