Frind, Herbert O., 1887-1961

Herbert Otto Frind (1887-1961), a researcher in the fields of public administration, library and community planning and cultural studies, was involved in the development of related organizations in Toronto, Ontario and around the world.

Frind was born in Toronto on March 18, 1887. He was educated in Canada, Saxony and England. He married Dorothy Eunice and they had one daughter.

Frind undertook reseach based on his personal interest and for financial compensation. He was a member of many organizations and saw himself as a pioneer in the areas of public administration, library and community planning, and cultural studies.

From 1904 to 1907, Frind was employed in England with the Bradford Wool Company Limited and Greenshields Limited. In 1907 he returned to Canada where he was employed with the Toronto General Trust Corporation from 1907 to 1909. Afterwards, Frind engaged in numerous research projects, travelling extensively while conducting his civic, municipal, and tourist research. In 1921, while living in Vancouver, he became a member of the Council of Board and Trade, and Chairman of the Civil Bureau. In Vancouver, he also called himself a Civic Research and Consulting Advisor and was employed as a bonds trader.

Frind was an active member of the Alpine Club (London England), Ontario Club, and the British Empire Club

Between 1924 to 1927, Frind travelled between England, New Zealand and Australia researching civil service reform.

While living in London, England from 1925 to 1926, he proposed the creation of an Institute of Public Administration for Canada and investigated the possibility of developing a Library Association for New Zealand and the Commonwealth.

In 1927, while living in Auckland, he conducted research on the place of the university in civic life in New Zealand and Australia, educational research on a commonwealth basis, and community organization. He attempted to develop an Institute of Public Administration for Australia and to create a diploma course in Public Administration

In 1929 he returned to Vancouver where he acted as Charter Director of the BC Art League.

In the early 1930's Frind moved to Toronto where he attempted to organize a Model-Community Club, as part of his activities related to leisure and recreation studies. He had acquired a property adjoining the Kingsway Lambton Mills Public School for the purposes of developing a model community club. He was interested in the creation of the Ontario Sociological and Educational Research foundations as part of the Ontario Arts Foundation.

Frind became Honorary Research Director for the Institute of Racial and Cultural Research. He was interested in racial and cultural studies and was a member of many related organizations. He was a pioneer in the fields of inter-ethnic, inter-racial and inter-cultural research, community planning, social and regional planning.

During the 1940's, Frind continued with research on community planning. During this time he adopted a functional framework for the purpose of community diagnosis that was to greatly influence his work.

From 1942 to 1943, Frind was acting as Commissioner for Survey Research and Planning for the town of Haileybury, Ontario. His responsibilities included producing plans and undertaking a survey, with the aim of beautifying the town

Frind was involved with research and activities with the Institute of Racial and Cultural Relations. He gathered briefs from various ethnic organizations for submission to the Royal Commission on Education

In the 1950s, Frind joined the following associations: Canadian Citizenship Council, World Federation for Mental Health, Canadian Institute on Public Affairs, Canadian Child Health Association, Canadian Education Association, Canadian Association of Slavists, Alliance Canadienne, and the Canadian Institute of International Affairs

In 1960, he acted as the Executive Officer and President of the Toronto Council of Friendship.

Frind died on April 15, 1961.