John Diefenbaker

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

John Diefenbaker

Role / Field:

13th Prime Minister of Canada; led the Progressive Conservatives to victory 1957-1963.

Born:

1895-09-18

Died:

1979-08-16

Century / Era:

1895s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

John George Diefenbaker (September 18, 1895 – August 16, 1979) was the 13th prime minister of Canada, serving from 1957 to 1963. He was the only Progressive Conservative party leader between 1935 and 1979 to lead the party to an election victory, doing so three times, although only once with a majority of the seats in the House of Commons. Diefenbaker was born in the small town of Neustadt in Southwestern Ontario. In 1903, his family migrated west to the portion of the North-West Territories that would soon become the province of Saskatchewan.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He grew up in the province and was interested in politics from a young age. After service in World War I, Diefenbaker became a noted criminal defence lawyer. He contested elections through the 1920s and 1930s with little success until he was finally elected to the House of Commons in 1940. Diefenbaker was repeatedly a candidate for the party leadership. He gained that position in 1956, on his third attempt.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In the 1957 federal election, Diefenbaker led the Progressive Conservatives to its first electoral victory in 27 years; a year later, he called a snap election and spearheaded them to one of their greatest triumphs. Diefenbaker appointed the...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1895 (1895-09-18): Birth of John Diefenbaker — 13th Prime Minister of Canada; led the Progressive Conservatives to victory 1957-1963.
2. 1903: 1903 Milestone — In 1903, his family migrated west to the portion of the North-West Territories that would soon become the province of Saskatchewan.
3. 1935: 1935 Milestone — He was the only Progressive Conservative party leader between 1935 and 1979 to lead the party to an election victory, doing so three times, although only once with a majority of the seats in the House of Commons.
4. 1940: 1940 Milestone — He contested elections through the 1920s and 1930s with little success until he was finally elected to the House of Commons in 1940.
5. 1956: 1956 Milestone — He gained that position in 1956, on his third attempt.
6. 1957: 1957 Milestone — In the 1957 federal election, Diefenbaker led the Progressive Conservatives to its first electoral victory in 27 years; a year later, he called a snap election and spearheaded them to one of their greatest triumphs.
7. 1979 (1979-08-16): Passing & Historical Legacy — John Diefenbaker passed away on 1979-08-16, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: John Diefenbaker

True or False: “Did John Diefenbaker lead the Progressive Conservative party to an election victory only once with a majority of seats in the House of Commons?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The text states he led the party to an election victory three times, but only once with a majority of seats.

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Frequently Asked Questions about John Diefenbaker