Derek Bedson
Encyclopedia
Derek R.C. Bedson, OC
(October 21, 1920 – May 14, 1989) was a Canadian
civil servant.
Born in London
, England
, he was raised in Manitoba
. In 1941, he received a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Manitoba
. He studied at Balliol College, Oxford
, after serving in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps during World War II
. While at Oxford, he formed a lifelong friendship with George Grant
.
In 1947, he joined the federal civil service. He worked two years with the Ministry of Mines and Resources before he became a Foreign Services Officer with External Affairs from 1949 to 1955. From 1953 to 1955, he was with the Canadian delegation at the United Nations.
In 1955, he became the private secretary of George Drew. In 1956, Drew was replaced by John Diefenbaker
and he became his private secretary as well.
In 1958, Duff Roblin appointed him Clerk of the Executive Council of Manitoba. He served until he was forced to resign in 1981.
In 1978, he was made an Officer 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...
(October 21, 1920 – May 14, 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...
civil servant.
Born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, he was raised in Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
. In 1941, he received a Bachelor of Arts in history 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...
. He studied at Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
, after serving in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps during 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...
. While at Oxford, he formed a lifelong friendship with George Grant
George Grant (philosopher)
George Parkin Grant, OC, FRSC was a Canadian philosopher, teacher and political commentator, whose popular appeal peaked in the late 1960s and 1970s. He is best known for his nationalism, political conservatism, and his views on technology, pacifism, Christian faith, and abortion...
.
In 1947, he joined the federal civil service. He worked two years with the Ministry of Mines and Resources before he became a Foreign Services Officer with External Affairs from 1949 to 1955. From 1953 to 1955, he was with the Canadian delegation at the United Nations.
In 1955, he became the private secretary of George Drew. In 1956, Drew was replaced by John Diefenbaker
John Diefenbaker
John George Diefenbaker, PC, CH, QC was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 21, 1957, to April 22, 1963...
and he became his private secretary as well.
In 1958, Duff Roblin appointed him Clerk of the Executive Council of Manitoba. He served until he was forced to resign in 1981.
In 1978, he was made an Officer 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...
.