Early Life and Education
William Findlay was born in 1874 and grew up on a farm near Hamilton, Ontario, where his family had lived for at least three generations . After completing high school, he enrolled at McMaster University, earning both a B.A. and an M.A. in Mathematics . He then pursued graduate studies in the United States – spending three years at the University of Chicago and obtaining his Ph.D. (magna cum laude) in 1901 . His doctoral dissertation, under the supervision of E. H. Moore, was in pure mathematics (on group theory), reflecting a strong academic foundation that would later inform his interests in astronomy.
Academic and Professional Career
Findlay’s professional career was primarily in academia. After completing his Ph.D., he began teaching at Columbia University in New York (1901–1905), where he tutored in mathematics . During this period he also served as Secretary of the American Mathematical Society, highlighting his active involvement in the broader mathematical community . In 1905, Findlay returned to Canada to join the faculty of McMaster University. He became a Professor of Mathematics at McMaster and eventually rose to Head of the Mathematics Department, a position he held until his retirement in the mid-1940s . (One source indicates he retired around 1948 , after a long tenure shaping McMaster’s mathematics program.)
Outside of his academic duties, Findlay was deeply involved in church life. A devout Baptist, he held numerous leadership positions in his denomination. Notably, he was elected President of the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec for 1942–1943, reflecting his prominence and respect in religious circles . This role meant that, in parallel with his scientific interests, Findlay was influencing religious and community affairs across Ontario and Quebec. His dual identity as a mathematics professor and a church leader exemplified a broad commitment to public service and education.
Involvement with the RASC and Hamilton Centre
Findlay’s engagement with astronomy was through the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC), especially the Hamilton Centre. Interestingly, he had joined the RASC as early as 1907, but appears to have been largely inactive in the society’s affairs for a couple of decades . It was in the 1930s that his involvement rekindled, coinciding with the growth of the Hamilton Centre. In 1931 he was elected to the Centre’s Council , and he even served as the Centre’s Secretary-Treasurer in 1932–1933 , indicating his willingness to take on administrative responsibilities.
Hamilton Centre Presidency (1934–1935)
Findlay was elected President of the RASC Hamilton Centre for 1934–1935, a period during which he provided leadership and stability to the local astronomical community . As Centre President, he presided over meetings and events, helping to organize the Centre’s activities at a time when amateur astronomy was gaining momentum. Though not a prolific public speaker, he did address the Hamilton Centre on a few occasions, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for astronomy with local members . He also engaged in observational projects alongside fellow members – for example, in 1936 Findlay and T. H. Wingham collaborated on observing Perseid meteors and systematically plotting sunspots , contributing to the Centre’s scientific work. These efforts suggest that under Findlay’s presidency, the Hamilton Centre not only grew organizationally but also encouraged serious observational astronomy among its members.
Even after his term as President ended, Findlay remained an active presence in the Hamilton Centre. He continued to serve on the Centre’s council for many years, staying on the Centre Council until 1947 and providing guidance to the next generation of leaders . His long involvement helped strengthen the Centre’s ties with local institutions. (Notably, in the late 1940s McMaster University and the Hamilton Centre would collaborate on establishing a small planetarium for public and educational use – a project that benefited from the friendly relations between the Centre and McMaster faculty, a culture of cooperation that figures like Findlay helped foster .)
National RASC Leadership (1936–1939)
Findlay’s contributions extended beyond the local level to the national Society. After his Hamilton Centre presidency, he was elected 1st Vice-President of the RASC in 1936–1937, and subsequently became the National President of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada for 1938–1939 . This was a significant period for the RASC, as astronomy in Canada was evolving and the Society was expanding its outreach. Despite residing in Hamilton, Findlay was notably dedicated in his national role – he traveled to Toronto for every General Meeting and RASC Council meeting during his presidency , demonstrating a strong personal commitment to the Society’s governance. Fellow RASC members recalled that he was reliable and conscientious, if somewhat reserved in manner. He reportedly delivered only two formal lectures during his national tenure , suggesting that he preferred to support and organize others’ contributions rather than frequently take the podium himself. (One of these talks was a scholarly address on “Mathematics and Astronomy,” delivered in 1939, which examined the interrelations between his field of mathematics and the science of astronomy . The other was his Presidential Address in 1940, given at the end of his term .)
Findlay’s tenure as National President coincided with the approach of World War II, and he took initiatives to raise the Society’s profile and membership. For example, under his suggestion, the RASC in 1938–39 advertised its annual Observer’s Handbook in teachers’ bulletins and church publications . By leveraging his connections in educational and religious communities (reflecting his dual roles as professor and Baptist leader), he hoped to attract new audiences to astronomy. This marketing idea placed notices about the 1939 Handbook in venues like high-school teachers’ federations and denominational journals – an innovative outreach strategy at the time. While the true boom in RASC membership came during the war years (when navigational training spurred interest in astronomy), Findlay’s outreach efforts foreshadowed the Society’s increasing public engagement.
Another notable aspect of Findlay’s national leadership was his vision for growing the Society’s presence across Canada. In his 1939 presidential address (upon retiring as President), he highlighted the city of Kingston, Ontario as a promising location for a new RASC centre, citing its status as a university town and the presence of enthusiastic local individuals . He pointed out that Kingston already had a small group of capable astronomy enthusiasts and predicted that a formal branch could be organized there . This insight proved prescient: although it took some years after Findlay’s tenure, an RASC Kingston Centre was eventually established, fulfilling the expansion he had envisioned. It exemplifies how Findlay used his platform as President to encourage the spread of organized astronomy beyond the major cities.
Contributions to Astronomy and the RASC
While William Findlay was not an astronomer by profession (and did not conduct original astronomical research), he made significant contributions to the astronomical community in Canada through education, administration, and outreach. His academic background in mathematics provided a valuable perspective on astronomy – as evidenced by his 1939 article “Mathematics and Astronomy” in the Journal of the RASC, where he discussed the deep connections between the two disciplines . By elucidating how mathematical principles underlie astronomical phenomena, he helped educate RASC members about the scientific foundations of their hobby.
Findlay’s leadership roles allowed him to influence the direction of the RASC during the 1930s. Locally, in Hamilton, he helped organize observing programs (such as meteor watches and sunspot monitoring) that engaged members in real scientific work . Nationally, he used his presidency to modernize and promote the Society. The advertising of the Handbook in 1939, noted earlier, is one example of his forward-thinking approach to outreach . This effort aimed to bring astronomy to teachers and churchgoers, reflecting Findlay’s belief that astronomy should be accessible to broad segments of society – including students and laypeople with diverse interests.
Additionally, Findlay’s cross-pollination of networks – connecting the RASC with educational institutions and religious communities – was a unique contribution. As a respected professor, he and like-minded colleagues helped build a partnership between the Hamilton Centre and McMaster University. This partnership yielded tangible benefits, such as the Hamilton Centre holding meetings on campus and eventually collaborating with McMaster on astronomy education projects in the late 1940s . As a Baptist leader, Findlay also lent credibility to science within faith communities, demonstrating by example that one could be devoutly religious and passionately committed to science. This undoubtedly helped inspire trust and interest in astronomy among people who might otherwise not have engaged with a science club.
During his long association with the RASC, Findlay occasionally gave public lectures that blended scientific rigor with accessible teaching. For instance, at a 1933 society meeting in Vancouver, he delivered a talk on “Gravitation,” explaining the history and principles of gravitational theory for a general audience (this was noted as one of the major addresses of the evening) . Although he spoke infrequently, his talks and writings were well-regarded for their clarity and depth. Moreover, as RASC President he oversaw the Society’s activities on the cusp of WWII, ensuring continuity and stability during a challenging era.
Legacy and Recognition
William Findlay is remembered as a pillar of the Hamilton astronomy community and a key figure in the RASC’s history during the 1930s. His legacy in Hamilton is that of an academic who lent his organizational skills and prestige to nurture local amateur astronomy. By leading the Hamilton Centre and later remaining on its council until the late 1940s, Findlay helped the Centre thrive; he bridged the gap between amateurs and academics, paving the way for future collaborations (such as the establishment of a permanent planetarium at McMaster in 1949, shortly before his death) . Long-time members of the Centre no doubt benefited from his wisdom and steady guidance.
Nationally, Findlay’s tenure as RASC President positioned him among the society’s notable leaders. He is recognized in RASC publications and archives as a Past President of the Society (1938–39) and as one of the contributors to the Society’s growth. In the RASC’s historical Encyclopedia of prominent members, his biography is featured alongside other luminaries of Canadian astronomy . This enduring acknowledgement by the RASC indicates the esteem in which he is held. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Findlay did not receive awards like the Chant Medal or RASC Service Award – likely because such honors either did not yet exist or were typically bestowed on those with direct observational discoveries or long service in later years. Nevertheless, his impact was felt through the offices he held and the initiatives he undertook, rather than through medals.
Findlay’s story also highlights an important aspect of Canadian astronomy in the early 20th century: the field was sustained not only by professional astronomers, but also by dedicated educators and amateurs from other disciplines. As a mathematics professor, Findlay exemplified the learned amateur who could ably lead an astronomical society. His influence is thus part of the broader legacy of the RASC, which has long been a blend of professionals and amateurs working together. Through his presidency of the Hamilton Centre and the national RASC, he inspired colleagues and successors to continue building the Society and popularizing astronomy across Canada.
William Findlay passed away in 1953, closing a life that spanned 79 years. Today, he is fondly remembered for his contributions to Canadian astronomy, particularly in the Hamilton region. His name lives on in the written records of the RASC: in journal articles, meeting minutes, and historical retrospectives that cite his role in key events . The Hamilton Centre of the RASC, which he once led, remains an active community, implicitly bearing the imprint of early leaders like Findlay who set it on a firm footing. In summary, William Findlay’s legacy is one of scholarly leadership, community service, and the successful bridging of his passion for astronomy with his professional and personal life – a legacy that continues to be recognized in Canadian astronomical circles.
Sources: Royal Astronomical Society of Canada archives and publications , Journal of the RASC and historical accounts , and “Looking Up – A History of the RASC” by Peter Broughton . These sources document Findlay’s life and work, providing details on his academic career, RASC involvement, and lasting impact on the astronomical community.
