Guy Sylvestre
Encyclopedia
Guy Sylvestre OC
, FRSC
(May 17, 1918 – September 26, 2010) was a Canadian literary critic, librarian and civil servant.
Born in Sorel, Quebec, he attended College Ste-Marie, Montreal
, and received his B.A. in 1939 and MA
in 1942 from the University of Ottawa
where he began his literary career as writer and critic.
By his early twenties, he was already the author of several articles in journals and newspapers, literary critic for the Ottawa newspaper Le Droit
1939-48, and founder of his own journal. Publication of Anthologie de la poésie canadienne d’expression française established him as an intellectual and a specialist in Canadian poetry. He was a founding member of the Académie canadienne-française in 1944 and President of the Royal Society of Canada
1973-74.
Sylvestre served as a translator in the Senate of Canada 1942-1944 and at the World War II
Wartime Information Board in 1944-45. He was subsequently private secretary to the Rt. Hon. Louis St. Laurent
, Prime Minister of Canada
, between 1945 and 1950, a position which led to important civil service jobs.
In 1956 to 1968, he was Associate Director of the Library of Parliament
and then became the second National Librarian at what is now Library and Archives Canada
from 1968 to 1983. The library experienced extraordinary growth under his leadership, housed in a new building on Wellington Street. The collection grew rapidly and the national bibliography Canadiana was automated.
After retirement from the civil service, he was President of the Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions from 1983 to 1986; Chairman, Ottawa Valley Book Festival, 1988-92; Chairman of Committee for the Governor General's Literary Awards; Past Chairman, Canadian Writers Foundation.
President, World Poetry Conference, 1967. Ordre International du bien public, 1970; Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland ; IFLA
Medal; Canadian Representative Intergovernmental Council for General Information Programs, Unesco
1979-83; Canadian Delegation to UNESCO, Conferences 1949, 1970, 1972, 1974; Chairman, Conference of Directors of National Libraries, 1974-77; Chairman, National Libraries Section, IFLA
, 1977-81; Canadian Public Service Outstanding Public Service Award, 1983; Societa' Dante Alighieri, rome, 1971; Life member, Canadian Library Association
,(CLA); Association Technologie de la documentation; Honorary Life member, Ontario Library Association
(OLA); Member and First President, Canadian Association for Information Science; Recipient of Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
.
In 1943, he married Françoise Poitevin. They had a daughter (Marie) and three sons (Jean, Louis and Paul). They have two grandchildren Jean Martin and Julie Michelle.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, FRSC
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
(May 17, 1918 – September 26, 2010) was a Canadian literary critic, librarian and civil servant.
Born in Sorel, Quebec, he attended College Ste-Marie, Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, and received his B.A. in 1939 and MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in 1942 from the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
where he began his literary career as writer and critic.
By his early twenties, he was already the author of several articles in journals and newspapers, literary critic for the Ottawa newspaper Le Droit
Le Droit
Le Droit is a Canadian daily newspaper, published in Ottawa, Canada. Initially established and owned by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the paper was has been published by Gesca since 2000.-History:...
1939-48, and founder of his own journal. Publication of Anthologie de la poésie canadienne d’expression française established him as an intellectual and a specialist in Canadian poetry. He was a founding member of the Académie canadienne-française in 1944 and President of the Royal Society of Canada
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
1973-74.
Sylvestre served as a translator in the Senate of Canada 1942-1944 and at the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Wartime Information Board in 1944-45. He was subsequently private secretary to the Rt. Hon. Louis St. Laurent
Louis St. Laurent
Louis Stephen St. Laurent, PC, CC, QC , was the 12th Prime Minister of Canada from 15 November 1948, to 21 June 1957....
, Prime Minister of Canada
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
, between 1945 and 1950, a position which led to important civil service jobs.
In 1956 to 1968, he was Associate Director of the Library of Parliament
Library of Parliament
The Library of Parliament is the main information repository and research resource for the Parliament of Canada...
and then became the second National Librarian at what is now Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada is a national memory institution dedicated to providing the best possible account of Canadian life through acquiring, preserving and making Canada's documentary heritage accessible for use in the 21st century and beyond...
from 1968 to 1983. The library experienced extraordinary growth under his leadership, housed in a new building on Wellington Street. The collection grew rapidly and the national bibliography Canadiana was automated.
After retirement from the civil service, he was President of the Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions from 1983 to 1986; Chairman, Ottawa Valley Book Festival, 1988-92; Chairman of Committee for the Governor General's Literary Awards; Past Chairman, Canadian Writers Foundation.
President, World Poetry Conference, 1967. Ordre International du bien public, 1970; Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland ; IFLA
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions is the leading international association of library organisations. It is the global voice of the library and information profession, and its annual conference provides a venue for librarians to learn from one another...
Medal; Canadian Representative Intergovernmental Council for General Information Programs, Unesco
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
1979-83; Canadian Delegation to UNESCO, Conferences 1949, 1970, 1972, 1974; Chairman, Conference of Directors of National Libraries, 1974-77; Chairman, National Libraries Section, IFLA
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions is the leading international association of library organisations. It is the global voice of the library and information profession, and its annual conference provides a venue for librarians to learn from one another...
, 1977-81; Canadian Public Service Outstanding Public Service Award, 1983; Societa' Dante Alighieri, rome, 1971; Life member, Canadian Library Association
Canadian Library Association
The Canadian Library Association is a national, predominantly English-language association which represents 57,000 library workers across the country. It also speaks for the interests of the 21 million Canadians who are members of libraries...
,(CLA); Association Technologie de la documentation; Honorary Life member, Ontario Library Association
Ontario Library Association
Ontario Library Association , established in 1900, is the oldest continually operating library association in Canada. With 5,190 members as of January 1, 2007, OLA is the largest library association in Canada....
(OLA); Member and First President, Canadian Association for Information Science; Recipient of Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal created in 2002 to mark the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II...
.
In 1943, he married Françoise Poitevin. They had a daughter (Marie) and three sons (Jean, Louis and Paul). They have two grandchildren Jean Martin and Julie Michelle.
External links
- Collections Canada: A Speech by Dr. Guy Sylvestre
- Collections Canada: Guy Sylvestre
- The Royal Society of Canada: Past Presidents
- IFLA Anniversary
- Canadiana: CIHM Anniversary
- IFLA Guidelines for National Libraries
- CBC News Archive: The National Library of Canada opens new HQ
- PSC: Outstanding Performance Awards