Pearson, Lester Bowles (1897-1972)

Canadian politician, leader of the Liberal Party from 1958, prime minister 1963-68. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1957 for playing a key role in settling the Suez Crisis of 1956 when as foreign minister 1948-57, he represented Canada at the United Nations (UN).

Pearson served as president of the UN General Assembly 1952-53 and helped to create the UN Emergency Force (UNEF) that policed Sinai following the Egypt-Israel war of 1956. As prime minister, he led the way to formulating a national medicare (health insurance) law.

He was born in Toronto, and educated at Toronto University and St John's College, Oxford. He was assistant professor of modern history at Toronto University 1926-28, then joined Canada's department of external affairs. He was Canadian ambassador to the USA 1945-46, and entered parliament as a Liberal in 1948. After his resignation as prime minister he became chair of the Commission on International Development for the World Bank.