The Provost’s Advisory Committee for the Promotion of the Arts invites nominations for the 2021-22 Robert Sutherland Visitorship. The visitorship, which was established in 1997, honours the first student and graduate of African descent at Queen’s, Robert Sutherland.

Sutherland, one of the university’s most important early benefactors, received a degree in classics and mathematics in 1852, qualifying three years later as British North America’s first known Black lawyer. After a successful career in law and public service, Sutherland died in 1878 and left his entire estate of $12,000 to Queen’s – helping his alma mater escape potential financial disaster.

PACPA is responsible for annually seeking and adjudicating proposals from members of the Queen’s community to invite persons of distinction to be Robert Sutherland Visitors or host scholarly events. The purpose of the Robert Sutherland Visitorship is to enable dialogue and inspire action around race-related, equity and justice issues to shape our citizens of tomorrow. Robert Sutherland Visitors are expected to deliver a public lecture and to be available during the visit to meet, formally and informally, with appropriate segments of the Queen's and Kingston communities.

The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 18, 2021 at 11:59 pm. For more information, please visit the Robert Sutherland Visitorship site.