Trent University Saddened to Learn of the Passing of Professor Emeritus John W. Burbidge
Working at the University for nearly three decades, Dr. Burbidge was a former head of Champlain College and chair of Philosophy
The University community is saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Emeritus John Burbidge, whose career at Trent spanned nearly three decades.
Professor Burbidge began teaching at Trent in the Philosophy department in July 1970. During his time at the University, he served in several key roles including master of Champlain College (1977), chair of the Philosophy Department (1985 – 1990, 1991), faculty rep on the Board of Governors (1989-1991), acting registrar, and associate vice president for Student Services. He was also a long-time member of the Friends of the Bata Library. He retired from the University in July 1999.
In 1992, Prof. Burbidge was presented with the University's Distinguished Research Award in recognition of his significant research and substantial contributions to Philosophy. He was also named fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1998 and was elected honorary president of the Hegel Society of Great Britain in 2008.
Prof. Burbidge is the author of several books and publications, including Historical Dictionary of Hegelian Philosophy, and The Logics of Hegel’s Logic. In retirement, Prof. Burbidge continued to ponder philosophical questions and in 2013 he published a systematic discussion of questions in epistemology and the philosophy of logic, entitled Ideas, Concepts, and Reality, followed in 2014 by Cause for Thought: An Essay in Metaphysics. In his retirement, Prof. Burbidge also developed an interest in bookbinding and repair and restored volumes originating from the 17th to the 21st centuries.
For over 35 years, Prof. Burbidge and his wife Barbara have been loyal Trent supporters, generously supporting numerous initiatives at the University, including the Bata Library, Gilbert Ryle Lecture Endowment, and a variety of student support prizes, bursaries, and awards. Prof. Burbidge and Barbara are also proud Trent parents – their children James and Elizabeth both graduated from Trent.
The University extends heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Prof. Burbidge and to all who knew him at Trent.