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 research university in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1876, Johns Hopkins is the oldest research university in the United States and in the western hemisphere. It consi ...

, who served as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 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 university, public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park (Toronto), Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 ...

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, ...

, and Associate Professor of Steam and Gas Engineering by 1914. In 1914 he moved to the

, 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. 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 Epi ...

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