Alexander Graham Christie (November 19, 1880 – October 24, 1964)
[ASME, ''Mechanical Engineering,'' Vol. 86. 1964. p. 107.] was a Canadian/American
mechanical engineer
Mechanical may refer to:
Machine
* Machine (mechanical), a system of mechanisms that shape the actuator input to achieve a specific application of output forces and movement
* Mechanical calculator, a device used to perform the basic operations of ...
and Professor at the
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University (Johns Hopkins, Hopkins, or JHU) is a private university, private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1876, Johns Hopkins is the oldest research university in the United States and in the western hem ...
, who served as president of the
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is an American professional association that, in its own words, "promotes the art, science, and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe" via "continuing ...
in 1939-40.
[Alexander Graham Christie, 83, Johns Hopkins Professor, Dead]
" ''New York Times.'' Oct. 26, 1964
Biography
Youth, education and early career
Christie was born in
Manchester, Ontario, Canada to Peter Christie and Mary Honor (Graham) Christie. He obtained his MSc in mechanical engineering at the
School of Practical Science at the
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto (UToronto or U of T) is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution ...
in 1901.
After his graduation Christie started as an apprentice in the engineering shop of the
Westinghouse Machine Company. After the introduction of its first steam turbine, Christie specialized in that field.
Further career in education and recognition
By 1909 he was research Assistant in Steam and Gas Engineering at the
University of Wisconsin
A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, t ...
, and Associate Professor of Steam and Gas Engineering by 1914. In 1914 he moved to the
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University (Johns Hopkins, Hopkins, or JHU) is a private university, private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1876, Johns Hopkins is the oldest research university in the United States and in the western hem ...
, where he became Associate Professor, and later Professor of Engineering until his retirement in 1948, and director the McCoy College until 1953.
In 1939-40 Christie served as president of the
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is an American professional association that, in its own words, "promotes the art, science, and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe" via "continuing ...
. He was awarded the honorary doctor in engineering by the
Stevens Institute of Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology is a private research university in Hoboken, New Jersey. Founded in 1870, it is one of the oldest technological universities in the United States and was the first college in America solely dedicated to mechanical ...
in 1939, and by the
Lehigh University
Lehigh University (LU) is a private research university in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. The university was established in 1865 by businessman Asa Packer and was originally affiliated with the Epis ...
in 1940. The
American Society for Engineering Education
The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) is a non-profit member association, founded in 1893, dedicated to promoting and improving engineering and engineering technology education. The purpose of ASEE is the advancement of education ...
awarded Christie the Lamme Gold Medal in 1948,
[American Society for Engineering Education, ''Proceedings,'' Volume 56, 1949. p. 3] and the first
George Westinghouse Gold Medal for engineering by the
ASME
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is an American professional association that, in its own words, "promotes the art, science, and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe" via "continuing ...
in 1953.
At the Johns Hopkins Whiting school of Engineer an annual lecture is held on his behalf, the Alexander Graham Christie Lecture.
Selected publications
* Alexander Graham Christie, Otto Louis Kowalke.
Steam and gas engineering laboratory notes'' 1912.
* Alexander Graham Christie,
What does an engineer do?' New York, Wantage Press, 1963.
References
External links
Alexander Graham Christie Stock Photos and Pictures Getty Images
{{DEFAULTSORT:Christie, Alexander Graham
1880 births
1964 deaths
American mechanical engineers
Canadian mechanical engineers
University of Toronto alumni
University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty
Johns Hopkins University faculty
People from Scugog
Presidents of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Canadian emigrants to the United States