Lester B. Pearson

The Right Honourable Lester B. Pearson Template:Postnominals
File:Lester Pearson 1957.jpg Pearson in 1957
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Personal details
Born	Lester Bowles Pearson Template:Birth date Newtonbrook, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died	27 December 1972(1972-12-27) (aged 75) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Resting place	MacLaren Cemetery, Wakefield, Quebec
Nationality	Canadian
Political party	Liberal
Spouse(s)	Maryon Moody (m. Template:Hover title)
Children	2, including Geoffrey Pearson
Education	Victoria College, Toronto (B.A.) St John's College, Oxford (B.A., M.A.)
Profession	Diplomat, historian, soldier
Awards	Nobel Prize for Peace (1957)
Signature	Lester B. Pearson's signature
Military service
Nickname(s)	"Mike"
Allegiance	Canada
Branch/service	Canadian Army Permanent Active Militia Royal Flying Corps
Years of service	1915–18
Rank	Lieutenant Flying Officer
Battles/wars	World War I

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.

Death

Pearson died from liver cancer in Ottawa, Canada, aged 75.