Alexander Graham Christie

Alexander Graham Christie (November 19, 1880 – October 24, 1964) was a Canadian-born American mechanical engineer and professor at Johns Hopkins University. Born in Manchester, Ontario, he studied mechanical engineering at the University of Toronto, earning an MSc in 1901. After working as an apprentice at Westinghouse Machine Company, he specialized in steam turbine technology following its introduction.

Christie's academic career began as a research assistant in Steam and Gas Engineering at the University of Wisconsin by 1909, rising to associate professor by 1914. He then joined Johns Hopkins University, where he became an associate professor and later a full professor until his retirement in 1948. Additionally, he served as director of the McCoy College until 1953.

In 1939–40, Christie presided over the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). He received several honors, including an honorary doctorate from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1939 and Lehigh University in 1940. The American Society for Engineering Education awarded him the Lamme Gold Medal in 1948, and the ASME conferred upon him the first George Westinghouse Gold Medal in 1953. At Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, an annual lecture is held in his honor.

Christie authored works such as "Steam and gas engineering laboratory notes" with Otto Louis Kowalke and coauthored "What does an engineer do?" His contributions to steam and gas engineering and education were significant, earning him recognition within the field.