John George Diefenbaker

Diefenbaker, John George (1895–1979), Canadian prime minister, 1957–63. Becoming leader of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1956, he headed a minority government in 1957, after 22 years of Liberal rule. The 1958 election produced a record government majority. He instituted agricultural reforms, but the economic recession, the Cuban missile crisis, and the nuclear arms debate, which aggravated relations with the United States under President John F. Kennedy, brought on his defeated in 1966 by Lester Pearson and the Liberals. He served in the Commons until his death.

See also: Canada.