Person

Beesley, J. Alan

1927-2009

John Alan Beesley (1927-2009) was born in Smithers, B.C. From 1949 to 1950, he obtained his B.A. and LL.B from the University of British Columbia. The following year, Beesley was called to the Bar of British Columbia, where he practiced law with Crease & Co. in Victoria until 1956. In September of 1956, he joined the Department of External Affairs, and in 1967 he became the Director of the Legal Division and held this position until 1971.
Beesley's assignments have included: the Canadian Embassy in Israel; the Canadian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva (1964-1967); Assistant Under-Secretary and Legal Advisor (1972-1973); Ambassador of Canada to Austria, IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) from 1973-1976; Canadian High Commissioner to Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu (1978-1980); Ambassador for Disarmament, New York (1980-1982); Ambassador to United Nations at Geneva to the Disarmament Conference and GATT (1983-1987); Visiting professor at the University of British Columbia Law School (1987-1988); and Ambassador for Marine Conservation and Special Environmental Advisor to Canadian Foreign Minister (1989-1991). In addition, Beesley is remembered for his leading role and contributions as Ambassador to Law of the Sea Conference and Chairman of the Conference Drafting Committee from 1967 to 1983. In 2003, Beesley was invited to participate in Canada's Ratification of the Convention under Jean Chrétien.
Beesley's significant honours have included earning honorary doctorates in Environmental Studies (University of Waterloo, 1983) and Law (Dalhousie University, 1994). He received the Order of Canada in 1984 and the Prime Minister's Outstanding Public Service Award in 1983. In addition, medals have included the Admiral's Medal for Contributions to Canadian Maritime Affairs (1993), Medal of Honour from the United Nation Association of Canada (1995), the Human Rights Medal of Honour, and the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (2002). John Alan Beesley died on 22 January 2009.

Lawyer, Diplomat & Professor.