Lester B. Pearson
Lester B. Pearson
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Lester Bowles Pearson was born on April 23, 1897, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is commonly referred to as "Mike" by friends and family.
Birth and Death Dates
Birth: April 23, 1897
Death: December 27, 1972
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: Canadian
Professions: Politician, Diplomat, Lawyer
Early Life and Background
Lester Pearson was born into a prominent family in Toronto. His father, Alfred Pearson, was a Methodist minister, and his mother, Annie Bowles Pearson, was a homemaker. Lester grew up with three siblings in a household that valued education and community service. He attended the University of Toronto, where he studied history and economics, graduating in 1913.
Pearson's early life shaped his future as a statesman. His exposure to social justice issues through his father's work influenced his commitment to public service. After serving in World War I, Pearson pursued a career in law, earning his LL.B. from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law in 1925.
Major Accomplishments
Pearson entered politics in 1948 as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Algoma East. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a key figure in Canadian politics. Some of his notable achievements include:
Mediation of the Suez Crisis (1956): Pearson played a crucial role in mediating the crisis, which led to the withdrawal of British and French forces from Egypt.
Establishment of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces: Building on the success of the UN's first peacekeeping mission in the Middle East, Pearson advocated for the creation of a permanent UN peacekeeping force. He presented this idea at the 1956 UN General Assembly, which led to its establishment in 1957.
Canadian Bill of Rights (1960): Pearson introduced the Canadian Bill of Rights, a precursor to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that was incorporated into Canada's Constitution in 1982.Notable Works or Actions
Pearson's diplomatic efforts extended beyond his own country. He served as:
The Secretary-General of the United Nations (1948-1952), where he played a key role in shaping the organization's early years.
* A delegate to numerous international conferences, including the 1945 San Francisco Conference that established the UN.
Impact and Legacy
Pearson's contributions to Canadian and global politics have had lasting impacts. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for his efforts towards resolving conflicts through diplomacy.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Lester Pearson is widely quoted and remembered for his vision of a more peaceful world, shaped by his experiences as a statesman and diplomat. His commitment to international cooperation and human rights continues to inspire leaders today.
Quotes by Lester B. Pearson
Lester B. Pearson's insights on:
As to the first, I do not know that I have done very much myself to promote fraternity between nations but I do know that there can be no more important purpose for any man’s activity or interests.
When you’re special to a cat, you’re special indeed, she brings to you the gift of her preference of you, the sight of you, the sound of your voice, the touch of your hand.
A great gulf, however, has been opened between man’s material advance and his social and moral progress, a gulf in which he may one day be lost if it is not closed or narrowed.
And I have lived since – as you have – in a period of cold war, during which we have ensured by our achievements in the science and technology of destruction that a third act in this tragedy of war will result in the peace of extinction.
Of all our dreams today there is none more important – or so hard to realise – than that of peace in the world. May we never lose our faith in it or our resolve to do everything that can be done to convert it one day into reality.
How can there be peace without people understanding each other; and how can this be if they don’t know each other?
Apartment stacked to the ceiling with newspapers, we call him crazy. If a woman has a trailer house full of cats, we call her nuts. But when people pathologically hoard so much cash that they impoverish the entire nation, we put them on the cover of Fortune magazine and pretend that they are role models.
How can there be peace without people understanding each other; and how can this be if they don't know each other?
The best defence of peace is not power, but the removal of the causes of war, and international agreements which will put peace on a stronger foundation, than the terror of destruction.