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Biography

John Diefenbaker

Overview

  • Born
    September 18, 1895 · Neustadt, Ontario, Canada
  • Died
    August 16, 1979 · Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
  • Birth name
    John George Diefenbaker

Mini bio

  • John George Diefenbaker was born in Neustadt, Ontario, to William Thomas Diefenbaker and Mary Florence Bannerman. He had one younger brother, Elmer Clive Diefenbaker. Throughout most of his early career, Diefenbaker served in the Canadian Army during World War I, but he left due to injuries. In 1919, Diefenbaker moved to Wakaw, Saskatchewan, although with its population with only 300. In 1929, Diefenbaker married his first wife, Edna Brower. Their marriage lasted for 21 years. Edna died from leukemia on February 7, 1951. Diefenbaker remarried in 1953, to Olive Freeman. Diefenbaker become leader of the Conservative Party, winning on December 14, 1956. The following year, Diefenbaker became Prime Minister of Canada, succeeding Louis St. Laurent. In 1958, Diefenbaker won the election against Lester B. Pearson. But things went downfall for Diefenbaker, because in 1963, the Liberal leader Pearson defeated Conservative leader John George Diefenbaker. Diefenbaker tried again in the 1965 election, but he lost because of Pearson. Diefenbaker remained active throughout the 1970's. His second wife died in 1976. At the age of 83, Diefenbaker ran for public office in Prince Albert. He won the seat, but three months later on August 16, 1979, Diefenbaker died of a heart attack. He was 83 years old.
    - IMDb mini biography by: Garchomp2017

Family

  • Spouses
      Olive Evangeline Freeman Palmer(December 8, 1953 - 1976) (her death)
      Edna Mae Brower(June 29, 1929 - 1951) (her death)

Trivia

  • 13 th Prime minister of Canada (1957-1963).
  • The dog in the TV series "Due South" is named after him.
  • Pictured on a 17¢ Canadian commemorative postage stamp issued in his honor, 20 June 1980.
  • Notorious for all but destroying Canada's aerospace industry when he cancelled construction of the Arrow fighter in the late 1950s. The Arrow was more powerful and more advanced than any American craft at that time, and it is believed the program was cancelled due to American pressure.
  • Was elected as Member of Parliament for Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 1940, and held the post continuously until his death in 1979.

Quotes

  • Freedom includes the right to say what others may object to and resent... The essence of citizenship is to be tolerant of strong and provocative words.
  • I've lived history. I've made history, and I know I'll have my place in history. That's not egoism.
  • Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong.
  • Yes, that's it, the hippies. Well, they've found an answer to the age-old problem of living without working. But I don't find them as unattractive... no, don't say that... I don't find them as unique as some people do. They're a manifestation of a passing fad.
  • I never think of memoirs. I'm still making history.

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