Russel D. Legge, BA (Transylvania University), STB. (Harvard University), PhD (McMaster University). Professor of World Religions at the University of Waterloo 1970-1996. Presently, retired and Professor Emeritus of University of Waterloo. Dean of St. Paul¹s United College 1986-1995. Director of the UW Centre for Society Technology and Values 1986-1989. President of the Canadian Council of Churches 1982-1985 and actively involved in promoting dialogue among the major faith communities in Canada.
Interest in the world¹s religions began with a survey course taken while working towards a bachelors degree in philosophy. This interest was enhanced by opportunities to study at the World Religions Center while at Harvard. Graduate studies at McMaster University centred on two philosophical systems with similar conceptions of the nature of deity, namely, the Process Philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead and the Visistadvaita Vedanta of Sri Ramanuja. While my personal religious confession is Christian, these studies convinced me that the great truths of each of the world¹s religions are parts of a rich spiritual heritage that belongs to men and women everywhere.