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Georges-Phileas VanierCanadian diplomat and the nineteenth Governor General of Canada from 1959 to 1967.
Date of Birth: 23.04.1888
Country:  Canada |
Content:
Georges Vanier: A Life of Diplomacy and Service
Early Life and Military ServiceGeorges Vanier was born in Montreal and pursued his education at Loyola College and Laval University's Montreal branch, earning a law degree. During World War I, he co-founded the 22nd Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, which became the renowned 22nd Royal Regiment in 1920. Vanier's valor earned him the Military Cross (1916), Distinguished Service Order with bar (1919), and a disabling wound in the Battle of Chérisy (1918) that resulted in the loss of his right leg.
Diplomatic Career
Following his recovery, Vanier returned to Montreal and practiced law. In 1921, he was appointed Aide-de-Camp to Governor General Lord Byng, rising to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1924 and commanding the 22nd Royal Regiment in 1925. His diplomatic career commenced in 1928 with his role in Canada's League of Nations disarmament delegation. In 1939, he became Canada's Minister to France, but the Nazi invasion forced him to return. He was subsequently appointed Commander of the Quebec Military District (1941) and promoted to Major-General (1942). After France's liberation, Vanier served as Canada's first ambassador to France, a position he held until his retirement in 1953.
Governor General
On August 1, 1959, Georges Vanier was appointed Governor General, making history as the first Quebecer and first francophone to hold the office. He served until his untimely death in 1967, before the end of his term.
Legacy
Pauline Vanier, the General's wife, was appointed a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. She died in 1991 at the age of 92 at L'Arche, a community for people with disabilities founded by their son, Jean Vanier, in Trosly-Breuil, France. She was buried alongside General Vanier at the Citadel of Quebec.
