Walter D. Young

Walter D. Young was a Canadian political scientist who has written several books that are considered the definitive resources for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation and the New Democratic Party. His experiences as a democratic socialist in Canada led to his involvement in the founding of the NDP, provincial politics in British Columbia, and a variety of educational initiatives at The University of British Columbia and The University of Victoria.

Personal life Walter D. Young was born in 1933 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to William and Isabel Eunice Young with two older siblings: Sheila and Irvine. At a young age, he moved to Victoria, British Columbia. Young predeceased his wife Beryl and his three children: Jeremy, Margot and Brian. Margot Young is currently a law professor at University of British Columbia's Peter A. Allard School of Law.

Early career In 1957, Young returned to Canada to accept a one-year teaching position at Royal Roads Military College in Victoria. After that year, Young took a teaching position at The United College (now the University of Winnipeg). Along with many other staff members, Young resigned in protest of the schools decision to fire Crowe based on his criticism of the university's president.

While at UBC, Young founded and served as director of The BC Legislative Internship Programme and initiator of an experimental liberal arts program for first-year university students called "Arts I". Once the NDP government lost power, Young and other faculty from University of Victoria were a driving force to enact the changes outlined by the Legal Services Commission Act. "Socialism" The Canadian Encyclopedia, Published online February 7, 2006, Historica Canada. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/socialism. Accessed 14 July 2020. Co-authored with Alan Whitehorn "University of Victoria". The Canadian Encyclopedia, Published online February 20, 2012, Historica Canada. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/university-of-victoria. Accessed 14 July 2020.

Other Ventures Board member for The Cedar Lodge Society, a rehabilitation centre for children with brain damage, for over 10 years

Awards Rhodes Scholarship (1955) Canadian Association of University Teachers Milner Memorial Award (posthumous), 2009

Eponyms Walter D. Young Prize at the University of British Columbia Walter D. Young Book Prizes in Political Science at The University of Victoria Walter D. Young Scholarship at The University of Victoria