subject: George Grant: Introduction to his Life and Philosophy [print this page] During his life, George Grant (1918-1988) received many of Canada's uppermost honours. He was appointed in the direction of the Order of Canada, he was a Fellow of the Royal Society and received its distinguished Chaveau Award, and he was awarded seven honorary degrees by Canadian universities. There are few professors of philosophy, political science, or history who do not know his name. He is included in every important reference book. His most important book, Lament for a Nation, has been named one of the hundred most Canadian books.
In spite of this fame in Canada, Grant is very little known outside his native nation. Why? The simple answer is: He did not much care about being famous and, although he achieved great achievement, his success came since he was a great philosopher, not because he popular success.
That was not because he didn't know the nature of achievement. Both his grandfathers were extremely eminent Canadians. His paternal grandfather, G.M. Grant (1835-1902), was a Christian clergyman in the Scottish Presbyterian tradition. He rose to national prominence, though as an educator. Canadian knew him as Principal Grant, the head of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. When he turned its principal in 1877 it was a small, struggling, almost bankrupt college. At his death it was a energetic, financially sound, and academically respected institution. Grant was also a political figure of note. He could count on assured access to the prime minister of the day. His journalism was influential and he was one of the best public orators of his era.
Grant's maternal grandfather, Sir George Parkin (1846-1922), was also an educator and a significant political figure. Like Principal Grant, he was a superb platform orator and, in the 1880s and 1890s, he traveled widely throughout Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom arguing the case for maintaining close ties between the colonies. In 1896 he became head of the important Canadian private boys school, Upper Canada College, where he implemented progressive educational reforms. He is most well-known for his activities in the period from 1902 to 1920. He was responsible for organizing, setting up and administering the Rhodes Scholarships, and it was for that achievement he was awarded his knighthood.
Grant's most famous relative was his uncle, Vincent Massey (1887-1967). Massey married Parkin's eldest daughter. He was Canada's first Ambassador to the United States, and served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom for eleven years, including the critical period of the Second World War. However, he is best known as the first native-born Canadian to serve as Governor-General (1952-59). Another uncle was a cabinet minister and a third a famous inventor.
His family was not wealthy but he had a comfortable and privileged upbringing. His father, William Grant (1872-1935) was also headmaster of Upper Canada College. The position brought with it a significant salary, a house, servants, and free education for his son, who grew up with the children of many of the country's social and economic elite.
George Grant: Introduction to his Life and Philosophy
