Lester Bowles Pearson - Biography.

Lester Bowles Pearson - Biography. 14th prime minister of Canada and diplomat Birth April 23, 1897 Death December 27, 1972 Place of Birth Newton Brook (now part of Toronto), Ontario Constituencies Algoma East, Ontario (1948-1968) Political Party Liberal Term 1963-1968 Significant Acts Created the Canada Pension Plan in 1965 Oversaw the adoption of a new national flag Created a national health plan in 1966 Career 1928-1935 Served as first secretary of the Department of External Affairs 1935-1941 Served as first secretary of the Canadian High Commission in London 1945 Attended founding conference of the United Nations 1945-1946 Served as Canadian ambassador to the United States 1946 Served as undersecretary of state for external affairs 1948-1957 Served as secretary of state for external affairs, and was pivotal in establishing NATO 1951-1952 Served as chairman of the NATO Council 1952-1953 Served as president of the United Nations General Assembly 1957 Received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his peace-keeping efforts during the 1956 Suez Crisis 1958-1968 Led the Liberal Party April 1963 Won election as prime minister; the Liberal Party returned to power in a minority government April 1968 Retired as prime minister Did You Know Three members of Pearson's 1965 cabinet later became prime ministers. When Pearson was a pilot during World War I, his flying instructor thought the name Lester wasn't tough enough and nicknamed him Mike. Pearson was the first Canadian to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. An athlete, Pearson played semi-pro baseball with the Guelph Maple Leafs, and was a member of Britain's Olympic hockey team in 1922. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.