J. King Gordon
Encyclopedia
John King Gordon, CM
(December 6, 1900 – February 24, 1989) was a Canadian
editor, diplomat, and academic.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the son of Charles William Gordon, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba
in 1920. A Rhodes scholar, he studied at Oxford University from 1920 to 1921. He was a United Church of Canada
minister in Manitoba. From 1931 to 1935, he was a professor of Christian ethics at the Union Theological Seminary in Montreal.
In 1933, he was one of the authors of the Regina Manifesto
and was involved in the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
. From 1944 to 1947, he was an editor of the The Nation
magazine. From 1947 to 1950, he was the United Nations
correspondent for the CBC
. From 1950 to 1962, he was the human rights and information officer for the United Nations Secretariat
.
From 1962 to 1967, he taught international relations at the University of Alberta.
In 1977, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
. He was the 1980 recipient of the Pearson Medal of Peace
for his work in peacekeeping
.
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...
(December 6, 1900 – February 24, 1989) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
editor, diplomat, and academic.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the son of Charles William Gordon, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
in 1920. A Rhodes scholar, he studied at Oxford University from 1920 to 1921. He was a United Church of Canada
United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada is a Protestant Christian denomination in Canada. It is the largest Protestant church and, after the Roman Catholic Church, the second-largest Christian church in Canada...
minister in Manitoba. From 1931 to 1935, he was a professor of Christian ethics at the Union Theological Seminary in Montreal.
In 1933, he was one of the authors of the Regina Manifesto
Regina Manifesto
The Regina Manifesto was the programme of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation and was adopted at the first national convention of the CCF held in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1933. The primary goal of the "Regina Manifesto" was to eradicate the system of capitalism and replace it with a planned...
and was involved in the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation was a Canadian political party founded in 1932 in Calgary, Alberta, by a number of socialist, farm, co-operative and labour groups, and the League for Social Reconstruction...
. From 1944 to 1947, he was an editor of the The Nation
The Nation
The Nation is the oldest continuously published weekly magazine in the United States. The periodical, devoted to politics and culture, is self-described as "the flagship of the left." Founded on July 6, 1865, It is published by The Nation Company, L.P., at 33 Irving Place, New York City.The Nation...
magazine. From 1947 to 1950, he was the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
correspondent for the CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
. From 1950 to 1962, he was the human rights and information officer for the United Nations Secretariat
United Nations Secretariat
The United Nations Secretariat is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and it is headed by the United Nations Secretary-General, assisted by a staff of international civil servants worldwide. It provides studies, information, and facilities needed by United Nations bodies for...
.
From 1962 to 1967, he taught international relations at the University of Alberta.
In 1977, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
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...
. He was the 1980 recipient of the Pearson Medal of Peace
Pearson Medal of Peace
The Pearson Medal of Peace is an award given out annually by the United Nations Association in Canada to recognize an individual Canadian's "contribution to international service". Nominations are made by any Canadian for any Canadian, excluding self-nominations. The award is named in honour of...
for his work in peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
.
External links
- Pearson Medal of Peace - J. King Gordon
- J. King Gordon: ONUC - And What It Did for the Congo
- John King Gordon at The Canadian EncyclopediaThe Canadian EncyclopediaThe Canadian Encyclopedia is a source of information on Canada. It is available online, at no cost. The Canadian Encyclopedia is available in both English and French and includes some 14,000 articles in each language on a wide variety of subjects including history, popular culture, events, people,...