John English fonds, 2005 accrual

English, John, 1945-
John English fonds : 2005 accrual to GA 115. - [197-?]-2002, predominant 1997-2002.

3 m of textual records. - 2 videocassettes.

Subsequent to his resignation as a Member of Parliament in 1997, John English returned to his academic position as Professor in the Department of History at the University of Waterloo. At the request of the Government of Canada and various ministries including the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Ministry of Canadian Heritage, Dr. English took on a number of appointments of national significance.

These appointments included acting as a Special Envoy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs concerning Canada's election to the UN Security Council and Special Adviser concerning the issue of the international ban on anti-personnel landmines. Dr. English was a key figure in cultivating support global support for a treaty to ban anti-personnel landmines, known as the Ottawa Convention, which was negotiated in Ottawa in December, 1997 and signed by one hundred and twenty-two nations. His involvement in landmines issues led to his later appointment to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Landmine Foundation, a non-profit organization which is Canada's primary mechanism for raising awareness and funds concerning anti-personnel landmines.

In 1999 Dr. English was also able to draw upon his academic and political experience when he assumed the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, a position held by him until 2003.

This accrual consists predominately of textual materials relating to John English's activities in federally-appointed positions after 1997. It also includes materials pertaining to his academic research and publication activities. The accrual contains research documentation and drafts of various articles, books and conference papers produced by Dr. English ca. 1979 to 1998.

In particular, it includes background research and publication information regarding his two-volume biography of Lester B. Pearson, which was published between 1989 and 1991 as The Life of Lester B. Pearson. In addition, a small volume of material relates to his activities as Member of Parliament including records of his Constituency and Parliamentary Offices.

The accrual is arranged in twenty series as follows:
1. Canada Millenium Scholarship Endowment Fund Advisory Group.
2. Canadian Institute for International Peace and Security: Research Advisory Committee.
3. Canadian Institute of International Affairs.
4. Canadian Landmine Foundation: Board of Directors.
5, 6, 7. Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation: Board of Trustees: Chair.
8. Canadian Partnership for Ethical Trading.
9. ITER Canada : Board of Directors and Observers.
10, 11. National Archives of Canada and National Library Review.
12. Political Activities: Constituency and Parliamentary Offices.
13. Special Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada for Landmines.
14. Special Envoy for the Minister of Foreign Affairs: UN Security Council candidacy.
15. Special Joint Committee reviewing Canadian Foreign Policy.
16. Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Subcommittee on Sustainable Human Development.
17. John English: personal : manuscripts.
18. John English: personal : manuscripts by others.
19. John English: personal : manuscripts : Lester B. Pearson biography research materials.
20. John English: Personal: Miscellaneous.

Donated by John English in 2005.

Subject to review.

A larger body of records pertaining to John English's Parliamentary and Constituency Offices is found in the original accession (see John English fonds).

Call number: GA185

Special Collections

John English fonds, 2005 accrual