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George Forrester Davidson

1909 – 1995

Canadian civil servant

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About George Forrester Davidson

Lived 1909 – 1995 (aged 86). George Forrester Davidson was a Canadian civil servant.

George Forrester Davidson, (April 18, 1909 – July 22, 1995) was a Canadian civil servant and president of the CBC.

Born in Bass River, Nova Scotia, he graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1928 and earned a Ph.D. in classical studies from Harvard University in 1932. He was appointed Superintendent of Welfare in British Columbia and became Director of Welfare in 1939. Despite his lack of training, Davidson learned on the job from B.C.'s first professional social worker, Laura Holland, and Dr. Harry Cassidy. He took over from Cassidy as B.C.'s Director of Welfare in 1939 and soon thereafter became director of the Canadian Welfare Council. He served as Deputy Minister for National Health and Welfare from 1944 to 1960, helping to administer the new Family Allowance program, then later worked in Citizenship and Immigration, as Secretary to the Treasury Board. He was president of the CBC from 1968 until 1972. In 1972 he held the most senior post ever by a Canadian in the United Nations when Kurt Waldheim appointed him Under-Secretary General for Administration and Management, a position which he held for seven years.

In 1972 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.

He died in Victoria, British Columbia in 1995.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
University of British Columbia, Harvard University
Awards
Companion of the Order of Canada; Order of Canada

People in George Forrester Davidson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped George Forrester Davidson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was George Forrester Davidson?

Canadian civil servant

When was George Forrester Davidson born?

George Forrester Davidson was born on 18 April 1909 in Bass River.

When did George Forrester Davidson die?

George Forrester Davidson died on 22 July 1995 in Victoria.

What was George Forrester Davidson's occupation?

George Forrester Davidson was a civil servant.

What nationality was George Forrester Davidson?

George Forrester Davidson was Canadian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: George Forrester Davidson

· Wikidata: Q5539367

· DBpedia: George Forrester Davidson

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). George Forrester Davidson. https://biography.guide/george-forrester-davidson/

MLA: "George Forrester Davidson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/george-forrester-davidson/.

Chicago: "George Forrester Davidson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/george-forrester-davidson/.

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