Diefenbaker, John George (1895-1979)

Canadian Progressive Conservative politician, prime minister 1957-63. In 1958, seeking to increase his majority in the House of Commons, Diefenbaker called for new elections; his party won the largest majority in Canadian history. In 1963, however, Diefenbaker refused to accept atomic warheads for missiles supplied by the USA, and the Progressive Conservative Party was ousted after losing a no-confidence vote in parliament.

Diefenbaker was born in Grey County, Ontario, and educated at Saskatchewan University. After graduation he served with the Canadian army in 1916, and was called to the Saskatchewan Bar in 1919. A brilliant defence counsel, he became known as the ‘prairie lawyer’. He became a member of Parliament in 1940, leader of his party in 1956, and prime minister in 1957. In 1958 he achieved the greatest landslide in Canadian history. A ‘radical’ Tory, he was also a strong supporter of Commonwealth unity. He resigned the party leadership in 1967, repudiating a ‘two nations’ policy for Canada. He was known as ‘the Chief’.