Component PI-81-36.3 (3) - A Beginning in Politics : Saskatoon CCF, 1938-1943

Carlyle Albert King was born in Cooksville, Ontario on November 25, 1907. His family moved to Saskatchewan in 1912 or 1913. King was educated at various Saskatchewan public schools, at Moose Jaw College, at the University of Saskatchewan (B.A. in History and English, 1926), and at the University of Toronto (M.A. and Ph.D. in English, 1927 and 1931). In 1929, King joined the Department of English at the University of Saskatchewan, where he taught for 48 years. He was the first professor to teach American and Canadian literature at a Canadian university. King was Department Head from 1950 to 1965 and also served as Dean of Academic Services, vice-principal in 1971, and acting vice-president in 1974.

King was involved in the organization of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), Saskatchewan Section, as early as 1932. He served many roles in the organization, including president (1945 to 1960) and the first chairman of the Co-operative Commonwealth Youth Movement (CCYM) Advisory Committee (1941). King was also president of the Saskatchewan Library Association, although he was not a librarian, served as chairman of the Saskatchewan Library Advisory Council, and was a member of the Canadian Library Trustee Association and the Saskatoon Public Library Board. He was also the longest serving member of the Saskatchewan Arts Board, chairman of the Saskatoon Art Centre, and a member of the board of directors of the Saskatchewan Association of Music Festivals.

King died in Regina on March 19, 1988.

King married Helen Harrett on June 27, 1931. They had one son, Gerald. King was remarried at a later date to Mrs. Lyle Evelyn King.