Roland Caldwell (R.C.) Harris

Roland Caldwell (R.C.) Harris was born in Lansing (now North York) on May 26, 1875. As a child he was nicknamed 'Roly'. He grew up near Toronto's original City Hall, where his mother worked as a cleaner. Harris' father died when he was young.

Harris attended Jarvis Collegiate. He spent a few years working as a reporter for the Toronto World, and briefly lived in Montréal prior to beginning his career with the City of Toronto. Harris married Alice Ingram on his 27^th birthday, in 1902. The couple had three children.

Career

Harris was appointed Works Commissioner in June 1912 at the age of 37.

R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant

In early 20^th century Toronto, child mortality was high due to the spread of water-borne illnesses such as cholera. After becoming commissioner, Harris began modernizing the city's water treatment system. He identified Victoria Park as an ideal location for a water treatment facility. The R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant was built in the 1930s.

Prince Edward (Bloor) Viaduct

The Prince Edward Viaduct opened in 1918 and included Harris' idea to add a deck under the bridge allowed for the Bloor-Danforth line to be built decades later.

Personal Life

Harris was a member of the Orange Order in Canada, a Protestant fraternal organization. He was also a devout Anglican.

He and his wife Alice had three children, one of whom died in infancy in 1906. His son Lieutenant Colonel Roland Allen Harris was a member of the Queen's Own Rifles.

Harris died on September 2, 1945 of a heart attack. Harris is buried in a family plot at St. John's Norway Cemetery.

In Popular Culture

Harris is depicted in Michael Ondaatje's novel In the Skin of the Lion.

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