Wilfred Cantwell Smith

The Reverend
Wilfred Cantwell Smith
OC FRSC
Born(1916-07-21)21 July 1916
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died7 February 2000(2000-02-07) (aged 83)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Other namesW. C. Smith[1]
Spouse
Muriel Struthers
​
(m. 1939)​
[2]
Children
Ecclesiastical career
ReligionChristianity (Presbyterian)
Church
Ordained1944[3]
Academic background
Alma mater
ThesisThe Azhar Journal: Analysis and Critique[5] (1948)
Doctoral advisorPhilip K. Hitti[3]
Other advisors
Influences
Academic work
DisciplineReligious studies
Sub-discipline
Institutions
Main interestsReligious pluralism
Notable worksThe Meaning and End of Religion (1961)
Influenced

Wilfred Cantwell Smith, OC FRSC[15] (July 21, 1916 – February 7, 2000) was a Canadian Islamicist, comparative religion scholar,[16] and Presbyterian minister.[17] He was the founder of the Institute of Islamic Studies at McGill University in Quebec and later the director of Harvard University's Center for the Study of World Religions. The Harvard University Gazette said he was one of the field's most influential figures of the past century.[18] In his 1962 work The Meaning and End of Religion he notably questioned the modern sectarian concept of religion.[19]

  1. ^ Asad 2001, p. 205.
  2. ^ a b Ferahian 1997, p. 27.
  3. ^ a b c Ferahian 1997, p. 28.
  4. ^ Ferahian 1997, p. 33.
  5. ^ Ferahian 1997, p. 28; Stevens 1985, p. 10.
  6. ^ Cameron 1997, p. 10.
  7. ^ Cameron 1997, pp. 10, 35.
  8. ^ Cameron 1997, pp. 35, 38.
  9. ^ Cameron 1997, pp. 32, 38.
  10. ^ Cameron 1997, p. 14.
  11. ^ Cameron 1997, pp. 23, 38.
  12. ^ Cameron 1997, pp. 28, 38.
  13. ^ Eck 2017, pp. 22–23.
  14. ^ Bhargava, Rajeev (29 November 2016). "How the Secular Diversity of India Informed the Philosophy of Charles Taylor". Newslaundry. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  15. ^ "Deaths". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. 9 February 2000. p. A18.
  16. ^ Fallers 1967, p. 120.
  17. ^ Shook 2016, p. 905.
  18. ^ Putnam, Hilary; Eck, Diana; Carman, John; Tu Wei-Ming; Graham, William (29 November 2001). "Wilfred Cantwell Smith: In Memoriam". Harvard University Gazette. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University. Archived from the original on 7 October 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  19. ^ Smith 1991.