October 12

James Coyne (1910–2012) was a distinguished Canadian lawyer and economist who led the Bank of Canada from 1955 to 1961 as its second governor. Educated at the University of Manitoba and Cambridge University, he began his career in law before moving into central banking. During his tenure, Coyne navigated post-war economic expansion and advocated for independent monetary policy to maintain currency stability. His term was marked by the “Coyne Affair,” a public debate over central bank autonomy and government influence. After leaving the bank, he authored influential works on financial regulation and served on various corporate boards. Living to 102, Coyne remained a respected voice in economic affairs well into his later years.