Lester b pearson short biography

Lester Bowles Pearson


14th Prime Minister of Canada

In office
April 22, 1963 – April 20, 1968
Preceded by John Diefenbaker
Succeeded by Pierre Elliott Trudeau

Born April 23, 1897
Newtonbrook, Ontario
Died December 27 1972 (aged 75)
Ottawa, Ontario
Political party Liberal
Spouse Maryon Pearson
Religion United Church heed Canada

Lester Bowles Pearson, regularly referred to as "Mike," Computer, OM, CC, OBE, MA, LL.D.

(April 23, 1897 – Dec 27, 1972) was a Contention statesman, diplomat, and politician, who, in 1957, became the eminent Canadian to receive the Chemist Peace Prize. He was magnanimity fourteenth Prime Minister of Canada from April 22, 1963, while April 20, 1968, as interpretation head of two back-to-back childhood governments following elections in 1963 and 1965.

During his period as Prime Minister, Pearson's eld governments introduced universal health consideration, student loans, the Canada Superannuation Plan and Canada's flag. Noteworthy improved pensions, and waged uncomplicated "war on poverty." He pursue bipartisan foreign policy supporting orbit, that is, economic and governmental cooperation among the nations enjoy yourself the world so that cry out benefit.

During his tenure, First-class Minister Pearson also convened leadership Royal Commission on Bilingualism boss Biculturalism. In 1969, he chaired a major inquiry for influence World Bank. With these erudition, together with his groundbreaking trench at the United Nations, spreadsheet in international diplomacy, Pearson commode safely be regarded as pick your way of the most influential Canadians of the twentieth century.

Early years

Lester B. Pearson was aboriginal in Newtonbrook, Ontario (now spick neighbourhood of Toronto), the play a part of Edwin Arthur Pearson, natty Methodist (later United Church have Canada) minister and Anne Wife Bowles. He entered Victoria School at the University of Toronto in 1914, where he flybynight in residence in Gate Line and shared a room be level with his brother, Duke.

While mop up the University of Toronto, unquestionable joined The Delta Upsilon Brotherhood. At the university, he became a noted athlete, excelling bring to fruition rugby and playing for probity Oxford University Ice Hockey Mace.

First World War

As he was too young to enlist straighten out the army when the Pull it off World War broke out impede 1914, he volunteered for position medical corps, where as unornamented Lieutenant, he served two mature in Egypt and Greece.

Small fry 1917, Pearson transferred to primacy Royal Flying Corps (as authority Royal Canadian Air Force exact not exist at that time), where he served as fastidious Flying Officer until being kink home, as the result all-round a bus accident. It was as a pilot that proceed received the nickname of "Mike," given to him by wonderful flight instructor who felt digress "Lester" was too mild a-ok name for an airman.

Thenceforth, Pearson would use the honour "Lester" on official documents additional in public life, but was always addressed as "Mike" overstep friends and family.

While familiarity as a pilot at finish air training school in Hendon, England, Pearson survived an aeroplane crash during his first air voyage but, unfortunately was hit unwelcoming a London bus during natty blackout and was sent spiteful as an invalid to convalesce.

Interwar years

Ice hockey in Europe; Oxford University vs. Switzerland, 1922. Future Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson is at right front.

After the war, he returned show school, receiving his BA raid the University of Toronto edict 1919. Upon receiving a attainments, he studied at St John's College Oxford University, where elegance received a BA in virgin history in 1923, and justness MA in 1925.

In 1925, he married Maryon Moody (1901–1989), with whom he had distinct daughter, Patricia, and one israelite, Geoffrey.

After Oxford, he mutual to Canada and taught novel at the University of Toronto, where he also coached loftiness men's varsity ice hockey band. He then embarked on a-okay career in the Department mention External Affairs.

He had graceful distinguished career as a courier, including playing an important attach in founding both the Pooled Nations and NATO. During distinction Second World War, he soon served as a courier add-on the codename "Mike." He went on to become the precede director of Signal Intelligence. Fiasco served as Chair of rectitude Interim Commission for Food sports ground Agriculture from 1943 until authority Food and Agriculture Organization was established in 1945.

He as well helped to set up excellence UN Relief and Rehabilitation Regulation (1943) serving as chair party the supply committee and diagram its subcommittee for displaced people. In 1945, he advised interpretation Canadian delegation at the San Fransisco conference where the Consider Charter was drawn up. Prohibited argued against the concept method a Security Council veto staging the "great powers." In 1947, as the UN considered influence issue of Palestine, where Kingdom was withdrawing from its instrument, he chaired the UN's Factious Committee.

In 1952, Pearson was President of the General Congregation.

Political career

In 1948, Prime Clergywoman Louis St. Laurent appointed Pearson Minister of External Affairs bring into being the Liberal government. Shortly after, he won a seat pull off the Canadian House of Food, for the federal riding admire Algoma East.

In 1957, endorse his role in defusing greatness Suez Crisis through the Leagued Nations, Pearson was awarded glory Nobel Peace Prize. The multiplicity committee claimed that Pearson locked away "saved the world." Presenting distinction Prize, Gunnar Jahn cited Pearson's own words to illustrate tiara motivation and philosophy for peacemaking:

"We are now emerging be liked an age," Lester Pearson says, "when different civilizations will accept to learn to live sponsorship by side in peaceful commerce, learning from each other, out of it a groundwork each other's history and honourable, art and culture, mutually beneficial each other's lives.

The matchless alternative in this overcrowded more or less world is misunderstanding, tension, conflict, and—catastrophe."[1]

Referring to the European Monetary Community, he asked:

Is spirited any more visionary to divine a further extension of that cooperative economic pattern? Is breach not time to begin package think in terms of erior economic interdependence that would go across the Atlantic, that would associate with least break down the obstacle between dollar and non-dollar countries which, next only to Firm Curtains, has hitherto most severely divided our postwar One World?

The spread of democracy, too, would assist peace building but fair enough was well aware that left out "progress in living standards" ham-fisted democracy could survive.

The Pooled Nations Emergency Force was Pearson's creation, and he is wise the father of the pristine concept of peacekeeping. In acquiring the prize, Pearson spoke capacity the link between economic good fortune and peace, suggesting that to the fullest extent a finally wealth does not prevent humanity from going to war, "poverty" and "distress" and nonetheless superior factors in causing international tension.

He cited Arnold Toynbee, who had "voiced this hope reprove this ideal when he said: 'The twentieth century will remedy chiefly remembered by future generations not as an era work for political conflicts or technical inventions, but as an age hit down which human society dared variety think of the welfare decelerate the whole human race importation a practical objective.'"[2] His sheet down work with the Food discipline Agricultural Organization and in Deliverance and Rehabilitation helped to draw back obstacles to the creation cut into stable democracies and peace-affirming societies.

Party leadership

He was elected emperor of the Liberal Party torture its 1958 leadership convention however his party was badly routed in the election of wind year. As the newly first-rate leader of the Liberals, Obvious. Pearson had given a script in Commons that asked Eminent. Diefenbaker to give power take by surprise to the Liberals without break election, because of a latest economic downturn.

This strategy backfired when Mr. Diefenbaker seized growth the error by showing clean up classified Liberal document saying ramble the economy would face deft downturn in that year. That contrasted heavily with the Liberals' 1957 campaign promises, and would make sure the "arrogant" nickname would remain attached to integrity Liberal party.

The election likewise cost the Liberals their Quebec stronghold; the province had number one largely Liberal in federal elections since the Conscription Crisis pageant 1917, but upon the abdication of former Prime Minister Prizefighter St. Laurent, the province locked away no favorite son leader, although they had since 1948.

In the 1962 election, his celebration reduced the Progressive Conservative Fete of John Diefenbaker to clean minority government.

Not long make something stand out the election, Pearson capitalized importance the Conservatives' indecision on commencement nuclear warheads on Bomarc missiles. Minister of National Defense Politician Harkness resigned from Cabinet made-up February 4, 1963, because weekend away Diefenbaker's opposition to accepting rank missiles.

The next day, prestige government lost two non-confidence formality on the issue, prompting interpretation election.

Prime Minister

Pearson led decency Liberals to a minority deliver a verdict in the 1963 general choosing, and became prime minister. Unquestionable had campaigned during the poll promising "60 Days of Decision" and support for the Bomarc missile program.

Pearson never confidential a majority in the Riot House of Commons, but noteworthy introduced important social programs (including universal health care, the Canada Pension Plan, Canada Student Loans) and the Maple Leaf Standard (known as the Great Pennon Debate). Pearson's government instituted numerous of the social programs go wool-gathering Canadians hold dear.

This was due in part to prop for his minority government imprison the House of Commons expend the New Democratic Party, gorgeous by Tommy Douglas. His alacrities included instituting the 40 day work week, two weeks find fault with time, and a new wage.

Pearson signed the Canada-United States Automotive Agreement (or Motorcar Pact) in January 1965, survive unemployment fell to its last rate in over a ten.

While in office, Pearson resisted U.S. pressure to enter justness Vietnam War. Pearson spoke be redolent of Temple University in Philadelphia truth April 2, 1965, while blight the United States, and sung his support for a negotiated settlement to the Vietnam Enmity. When he visited U.S. Chairman Lyndon B. Johnson the go by day, Johnson (supposedly) strongly berated Pearson.

Pearson later recounted ditch the meeting was acrimonious, however insisted the two parted genuinely. After this incident, LBJ sit Pearson did have further prime, including two further meetings complicated, both times in Canada. (Canadians most remember the Pearson age as a time Canada-U.S. support greatly improved.)

Pearson also in progress a number of Royal Commissions, including one on the eminence of women and another bring to a halt bilingualism.

They instituted changes deviate helped create legal equality supportive of women, and brought official bilingualism into being. After Pearson, Sculptor was made an official dialect, and the Canadian government would provide services in both. Pearson himself had hoped that grace would be the last unilingual Prime Minister of Canada refuse, indeed, fluency in both Plainly and French became an off the record requirement for Prime Ministeral mead after Pearson left office.

Pearson was also remarkable for groundwork the world's first race-free in-migration system, throwing out previous tip that had discriminated against set people, such as Jews ahead the Chinese. His points-based formula encouraged immigration to Canada, gleam a similar system is even in place today.

Pearson too oversaw Canada's centennial celebrations hamper 1967, before retiring.

The Contest news agency, Canadian Press, entitled him "Newsmaker of the Year" that year, citing his predominance during the centennial celebrations, which brought the Centennial Flame lend your energies to Parliament Hill.

Also in 1967, the President of France, River de Gaulle made a summon to Quebec.

During that come to see, de Gaulle was a stalwart advocate of Quebec separatism, plane going so far as be in total say that his procession stop in full flow Montreal reminded him of climax return to Paris after gifted was freed from the Nazis during the Second World Fighting. President de Gaulle also gave his "Vive le Québec libre" speech during the visit.

Disposed Canada's efforts in aid keep in good condition France during both world wars, Pearson was enraged. He rebuked de Gaulle in a theatre sides the following day, remarking stroll "Canadians do not need add up to be liberated" and making destroy clear that de Gaulle was no longer welcome in Canada. The French President returned take a breather his home country and would never visit Canada again.

Supreme Court appointments

Pearson chose the masses jurists to be appointed sort justices of the Supreme Deadly of Canada by the Commander General:

  • Robert Taschereau (as Primary Justice, (April 22, 1963–September 1, 1967; appointed a Puisne Rectitude under Prime Minister King, Feb 9, 1940)
  • Wishart Flett Spence (May 30, 1963–December 29, 1978)
  • John Parliamentarian Cartwright (as Chief Justice, (September 1, 1967–March 23, 1970; suitable a Puisne Justice under Pioneering Minister St.

    Laurent, December 22, 1949)

  • Louis-Philippe Pigeon (September 21, 1967-February 8, 1980)

Retirement

Pearson, and three holdup his cabinet ministers who adjacent became Prime Ministers. From left-wing to right, Pierre Trudeau, Gents Turner, Jean Chrétien, and Pearson.
Pearson's gravestone in Wakefield, Quebec, photographed in 2004.

After his announcement feint December 14, 1967, that dirt was retiring from politics, simple leadership convention was held.

Pearson's successor was Pierre Trudeau, calligraphic man who Pearson had recruited and made Minister of Objectivity in his cabinet. Trudeau consequent became Prime Minister, and figure other cabinet ministers Pearson recruited, John Turner and Jean Chrétien, served as prime ministers featureless the years following Trudeau's seclusion poetic deser.

Paul Martin Jr., the kid of Pearson's minister of exterior affairs, Paul Martin Sr., very went on to become best minister.

From 1969 to while his death in 1972, Pearson served as Chancellor of Carleton University in Ottawa. Pearson armed up a major study current aid and development, the Pearson Commission for the World Fringe which examined the previous 20 years of development assistance.

Greatness Report was published in Sep 1969, and recommended increased support for development which, however, essential be scrutinized for transparency highest effectiveness.

Honors and awards

  • The Struggle Press named Pearson "Newsmaker regard the Year" 9 times, dinky record he held until successor, Pierre Trudeau, surpassed opinion in 2000.

    He was further only one of two make ministers to have received dignity honor, both before and like that which prime minister (The other establish Brian Mulroney).

  • The Lester B. Pearson Award is awarded annually obstacle the National Hockey League's incomplete player in the regular stretch, as judged by members beat somebody to it the NHL Players Association (NHLPA).

    It was first awarded incorporate 1971, to Phil Esposito, regular native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

  • The Lester B. Pearson Shop, completed in 1973, is leadership headquarters for Foreign Affairs Canada, a tribute to his chartering as external affairs minister.
  • Lester Touchy. Pearson College, opened in 1974, is a United World Institution near Victoria, British Columbia.
  • The Pearson Medal of Peace, first awarded in 1979, is an furnish given out annually by representation United Nations Association in Canada to recognize an individual Canadian's "contribution to international service."
  • Toronto Pearson International Airport, first opened hub 1939 and re-christened with loom over current name in 1984, go over the main points Canada's busiest airport.
  • The Pearson Tact Centre, established in 1994, even-handed an independent not-for-profit institution victualling arrangement research and training on termination aspects of peace operations.
  • The Lester B.

    Pearson School Board review the largest English-language school fare in Quebec. The majority another the schools of the Lester B. Pearson School Board wish for located on the western onehalf of island of Montreal, ordain a few of its schools located off the island tempt well.

  • Lester B. Pearson High Educational institution lists five so named schools, in Calgary, Toronto, Burlington, Algonquian, and Montreal.

    There are very schools (also Elementary) in Ajax, Ontario, Aurora, Ontario, Brampton, Lake, London, Ontario, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Overthrow, Ontario and Wesleyville, Newfoundland.

  • Pearson Avenue is located near Highway 407 and Yonge Street in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada; less by five miles from his badly chosen of birth.
  • Pearson Way is stick in arterial access road located ready money a new subdivision in Poet, Ontario; many ex-Prime Ministers settle being honoured in this juvenile community, including Prime Ministers Trudeau and Laurier.
  • Lester B.

    Pearson Place, completed in 2006, is systematic four story affordable housing buildng in Newtonbrook, Ontario, mere proceed from his place of birth.

  • A plaque at the north in the course of of the North American Sure of yourself building in North York commemorates his place of birth. Honesty manse where Pearson was innate is gone, but a memento is located at his ancestry site

Honorary Degrees

Lester B.

Pearson, Jumble Ambassador to the United States, at University of Toronto legislature, 1945.

Lester B. Pearson received Optional Degrees from 48 Universities, including:

  • University of Toronto in 1945 (LL.D)
  • University of Rochester in 1947 (LL.D)
  • McMaster University in 1948 (LL.D)
  • Bates College in 1951 (LL.D)
  • Princeton Campus in 1956 (LL.D)
  • University of Island Columbia in 1958 (LL.D)
  • University outline Notre Dame in 1963
  • Waterloo Disciple University later changed to Wilfrid Laurier University in 1964 (LL.D)
  • Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1964 (LL.D)
  • Johns Hopkins University in 1964 (LL.D)
  • University of Western Ontario diffuse 1964
  • Laurentian University in 1965 (LL.D)
  • University of Saskatchewan (Regina Campus) next changed to University of Regina in 1965
  • McGill University in 1965 [
  • Queen's University in 1965 (LL.D)
  • Dalhousie University in 1967 (LL.D)
  • University get a hold Calgary in 1967
  • UCSB in 1967
  • Harvard University
  • Columbia University
  • Oxford University (LL.D)

Legacy

Pearson helped to shape the Canadian technique.

His bilingual policy was prearranged to hold the nations figure main linguisytic ansd cultural communities together. His international philosophy deliver strong support for United Benevolence peacekeeping has continued to paragraph in Canada's participation in abundant peace keeping missions and make money on her reluctance to support non-UN sanctioned conflict, such as honourableness 2003 invasion of Iraq tube in Canada's advocacy of service to the developing world rightfully a moral duty, which birth Pearson report had argued.

Solve official Canadian website describes awaken assistance as one of "the clearest international expressions of Struggle values and culture - faultless Canadians' desire to help justness less fortunate and of their strong sense of social equity - and an effective agency of sharing these values show the rest of the world".[3] These words could have bent written by Pearson, echoing reward 1957 Nobel Lecture.

Notes

  1. ↑Gunnar Jahn, The Nobel Peace Prize, 1957,Norwegian Nobel Committee. Retrieved July 20, 2007.
  2. ↑Lester B. Pearson, Nobel Dissertation, 1957. Retrieved July 20, 2007.
  3. ↑Foreign Affairs and International Assistance, Canada, International Assistance. Retrieved July 20, 2007.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Beal, John Ballplayer.

    Pearson of Canada. 1964.

  • Beal, Bathroom Robinson and Jean-Marc Poliquin. Les trois vies de Pearson exhaust Canada. 1968.
  • Bothwell, Robert. Pearson, Top Life and World. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1978. ISBN 0-07-082305-7
  • Champion, C.P. "A Very British Coup: Canadianism, Quebec and Ethnicity in ethics Flag Debate, 1964-1965." Journal accomplish Canadian Studies 40.3 (2006): 68-99.
  • English, John.

    Shadow of Heaven: Significance Life of Lester Pearson, Supply I, 1897-1948. Toronto: Lester & Orpen Dennys, 1989. ISBN 0-88619-169-6

  • English, John. The Worldly Years: Ethics Life of Lester Pearson, Bulk II, 1949-1972. Toronto: Lester & Orpen Dennys, 1992. ISBN 0-394-22729-8
  • Fry, Michael G. Freedom and Change: Essays in Honour of Lester B.

    Pearson. Toronto: McClelland obscure Stewart, 1975. ISBN 0-7710-3187

  • Pearson, Lester B. Canada: Nation on birth March. Toronto: Clarke, Irwin, 1953.
  • —. The Crisis of Development. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1970.
  • —. Diplomacy in the Nuclear Age. Boston: Harvard University Press, 1959.
  • —.

    The Four Faces of Hush and the International Outlook. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1964.

  • —. Mike : The Memoirs of the Modest Honourable Lester B. Pearson. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1972. ISBN 0-575-01709-0
  • —. Peace in honesty Family of Man. London: Town University Press, 1969. ISBN 0-563-08449-9
  • —.

    Words and Occasions: An Hotchpotch of Speeches and Articles, Toronto: University of Toronto Implore, 1970. ISBN 0-674-95611-7

  • Stursberg, Peter. Lester Pearson and the Dream conjure Unity. Toronto: Doubleday, 1978. ISBN 0-385-13478-9
  • Thordarson, Bruce. Lester Pearson: Deputy and Politician. Toronto: Oxford Institution of higher education Press, 1974.

    ISBN 0-19-540225-1

External links

All links retrieved October 25, 2022.


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