Currie, Sir Arthur William, 1875–1933, Canadian commander in World War I. He made a distinguished record for himself in World War I as a brigade and division commander, particularly at Ypres (1915) and Vimy Ridge (1917), where he was knighted on the battlefield. Promoted to lieutenant general, he commanded the Canadian Corps, which played key roles in the assaults on the Amiens salient and the Hindenburg Line, from June, 1917, until the end of the war. In 1919 he became Canada's first full general. From 1920 until his death he was principal and vice chancellor of McGill Univ.

Currie, Sir Arthur William

(born Dec. 5, 1875, Napperton, Ont., Can.—died Nov. 30, 1933, Montreal, Que.) Canadian military leader. He was a businessman in Victoria, B.C., before enlisting in the militia. Given command of a battalion in 1914, he won distinction in several battles of World War I; within three years he was promoted to lieutenant general and given command of the four divisions of the Canadian Corps. After the war he served as the first general in the Canadian army. In 1920 he became principal and vice chancellor of McGill University.