Measuring the Mosaic is a comprehensive intellectual biography of John Porter (1921-1979), author of The Vertical Mosaic (1965), preeminent Canadian sociologist of his time, and one of Canada”s most celebrated scholars. In the first biography of this important figure, Rick Helmes-Hayes provides a detailed account of Porter”s life and an in-depth assessment of his extensive writings on class, power, educational opportunity, social mobility, and democracy.

While assessing Porter”s place in the historical development of Canadian social science, Helmes-Hayes also examines the economic, social, political and scholarly circumstances – including the Depression, World War II, post-war reconstruction, the baby boom, and the growth of universities – that contoured Porter”s political and academic views. Using extensive archival research, correspondence, and over fifty original interviews with family, colleagues, and friends, Measuring the Mosaic stresses Porter”s remarkable contributions as a scholar, academic statesman, senior administrator at Carleton University, and engaged, practical public intellectual.