Lester B. Pearson

Born in Newtonbrook, Ontario, Lester Bowles Pearson was the son of Annie Sarah Bowles and Edwin Arthur Pearson. Throughout World War I, Pearson volunteered for service and entered in it. He survived an aeroplane crash and Pearson went by the code name, "Mike". After World War I, Pearson returned back to school and received his Bachelor of Arts in Toronto in 1919. In 1925, Pearson married Maryon Moody, who was from Winnipeg. Together, they had two children, Geoffrey and Patricia. In 1929, with the Stock Market Crash and Mackenzie King's defeat, Pearson entered his diplomatic career. During World War II, he served in the United Kingdom. After the war, Pearson served as the second Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations. In 1957, Pearson won the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the Suez Canal Crisis. The following year, he became leader of the Liberal Party, after Louis St. Laurent retired. In 1963, Pearson defeated John Diefenbaker in the 1963 election. Pearson remained Prime Minister until April 20, 1968, when Pierre Trudeau defeated him. Pearson remained active until he died from cancer on December 27, 1972. He was 75 years old.