GREIG, Alexander Rodger (1872-1947) devoted much of his career to overseeing the construction of major buildings on the new campus of the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon from 1909 to 1938. Working with David R. Brown, and the Montreal firm of Brown & Vallance, he served as Superintendent of Buildings on the campus for nearly 30 years, as well as holding the position of Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University. He became a registered member of the Saskatchewan Association of Architects in July 1912, and served on the S.A.A. Council and the Examination Board. A summary of his activity as an architect appears in the R.A.I.C. Journal, xv, Dec. 1938, 280. The University of Saskatchewan later acknowledged his “....invaluable advice on the location, style and construction of University buildings”, and his work to “ superintended their erection with vigilant care” (Univ. of Sask. Archives, College of Engineering, Finding Aid, 20-23).
Born in Montreal, Que. on 18 December 1872, he graduated from the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering in 1895 and then worked as chief draftsman in the Mechanical Dept. of the Canada Atlantic Railway in Ottawa (1895-1902), and later as designer and draftsman for the Canadian Northern Railway in Winnipeg from 1902 to 1906 before being appointed as professor of Agricultural Engineering at Manitoba Agricultural College (1906-1909). In 1909 he accepted the dual post of Building Superintendent at the Univ. of Saskatchewan, as well as Professor of Mechanical Engineering. He made a major contribution to the design of farm buildings throughout the province by issuing and printing over 10 technical bulletins on the architectural design and construction of these rural building types for the agricultural industry. Greig died at Lake Waskesiu, Sask. on 21 July 1947 (obituary Winnipeg Tribune, 23 July 1947, 19; Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, 25 July 1947, 3; biog. Moose Jaw Semi-Weekly, 16 July 1909, 5).
SASKATOON, SASK., major additions to the Field Husbandry Building, University of Saskatchewan, 1937 (C.R., Vol. 50, 12 May 1937, 37)