Geoffrey Pearson

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Geoffrey Arthur Holland Pearson OC (December 24, 1927 – March 18, 2008) was a Canadian diplomat. Born in Toronto, Ontario, he was the son of former Prime Minister of Canada Lester B. Pearson and Maryon Pearson.

Born in Toronto, Pearson was educated at Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ontario the University of Toronto and Oxford University. Pearson joined the department of External Affairs in 1952. He held diplomatic appointments at the Canadian embassies in Paris and Mexico City, and at the high commission in New Delhi. From 1980 to 1983, he served as Canada's ambassador to the Soviet Union.

In late 1983, Pearson was appointed as a special representative to then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau for arms control, and in 1984 he was seconded to the Canadian Institute for International Affairs. In January 1985 he was appointed as the first executive director of the Canadian Institute for International Peace and Security, where he served for six years.

Pearson was a past president of the United Nations Association in Canada. In 2000, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. Pearson died in Ottawa, Ontario. He is survived by his wife, Senator Landon Pearson, and their five children, including National Post journalist Patricia Pearson.

Pearson was the second of three members of his family to serve in Canada's diplomatic service. His father was Secretary of State for External Affairs and his son Michael Pearson is a senior official with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

References

• Obituary: Geoffrey Pearson 1927-2008 Diplomat elevated Canada's UN role, Toronto Star, March 20, 2008 pp A24
• Obituary Geoffrey Pearson, 80.
• GEOFFREY PEARSON TO VISIT EDMONTON For immediate release Saturday, October 20, 2001