Lester B. Pearson

The Right Honourable Lester Bowles Pearson PC CC OBE OM MA
Lester B. Pearson, 1944
14th Prime Minister of Canada
In office April 22, 1963 – April 20, 1968
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Preceded by	John Diefenbaker
Succeeded by	Pierre Trudeau
Member of the Canadian Parliament for Algoma East
In office October 25, 1948 – April 23, 1968
Preceded by	Thomas Farquhar
Succeeded by	None (district abolished)
Personal details
Born	April 23, 1897 (1897 -04-23) Newtonbrook, Toronto, Ontario
Died	December 27, 1972 (aged 75) Ottawa, Ontario
Political party	Liberal
Spouse(s)	Maryon Pearson
Children	Geoffrey, Patricia
Alma mater	MA (Oxon) BA (Oxon) BA (Tor)
Profession	Soldier, Diplomat, Academic
Religion	Methodist, then United Church of Canada
Signature
Military service
Awards	Nobel Peace Prize (1957)

Lester Bowles "Mike" Pearson, PC, OM, CC, OBE (April 23, 1897 – December 27, 1972) was the 14th Prime Minister of Canada from 1963 to 1968. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for organizing the first peacekeeping force.

As Prime Minister, Pearson's government created universal health care and the Canada Pension Plan. He also changed the flag of Canada.

Early Life

Pearson was born in Newtonbrook, Ontario, the son of Edwin Arthur Pearson, a Methodist minister and Anne Sarah Bowles. He went to the University of Toronto and Oxford University. Pearson was ambassador to the United States and the United Nations. He played for the Oxford University Ice Hockey Club while on a scholarship at Oxford University.

Political Career

Pearson entered politics in 1948, as Minister of External Affairs in the Liberal government of Louis St. Laurent. He became leader of the Liberal Party in 1958. He lost two elections as leader, until winning a third to become Prime Minister in 1963. His government brought in social programs and new standards for workers. Pearson signed the Canada-United States Automotive Agreement, also called the Auto Pact. He retired in 1968. The next Prime Minister was Pierre Trudeau.