John R. Saul

Canadian writer, International PEN president and public intellectual · Canada · Writers · Born 1947 · age 79

John R. Saul is read about 86 times a day, in 16 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 19 September 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.

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John Ralston Saul is a Canadian writer, political philosopher, and public intellectual.

A life in dates

2010Manhae PrizeAward2008“...a clever Toronto lawyer was deep into a technical argument before the Supreme Court.”In their wordsp. 128Read the whole statement

2002Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee MedalAward2001“The clarity of Socrates' situation is remarkable. ... his exit is wonderfully seductive. It is calm, clear, convincing.”In their wordsOn Equilibrium (2001)Read the whole statement

“Of course, corporations and governments have a right to something for their money. They pay the wages.”In their wordsOn Equilibrium (2001)Read the whole statement

1999Companion of the Order of CanadaAward1997“Realism isn't pessimism. And though the anti-reform interests have won an unconscionable number of battles over the last decade, the war is by no means over.”In their wordsReflections of a Siamese Twin: Canada at the End of the Twentieth Century (1997)Read the whole statement

“The rise of democracy was driven by the citizens' desire to escape from the paternalistic and arbitrary charity of those with money.”In their wordsReflections of a Siamese Twin: Canada at the End of the Twentieth Century (1997)Read the whole statement

“The state-initiated referendum has always been a part of this [anti-democratic] logic. Stop the talk, we're going to decide, yes or no.”In their wordsReflections of a Siamese Twin: Canada at the End of the Twentieth Century (1997)Read the whole statement

1996Chevalier des Arts et des LettresAwardGovernor General's Award for English-language non-fictionAward1947Born19 June 1947

Also in Deutsch

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In their own words 10

John R. Saul

10 statements, newest first

...a clever Toronto lawyer was deep into a technical argument before the Supreme Court.
2008, p. 128, Own words
The clarity of Socrates' situation is remarkable. ... his exit is wonderfully seductive. It is calm, clear, convincing.
2001, On Equilibrium (2001), Own words
Non-fiction", on the other hand, declares itself to be the carrier of fact, an expression of reality, and thus of truth.
2001, On Equilibrium (2001), Own words

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Awards

Manhae Prize2010

Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal2002

Companion of the Order of Canada1999

Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres1996

Governor General's Award for English-language non-fiction1996

Order of Ontario

Honorary doctor of the University of Ottawa

Gordon Montador Award

In their orbit

Spouse: Adrienne Clarkson

About this person

John Ralston Saul is a Canadian writer, political philosopher, and public intellectual. Saul is most widely known for his writings on the nature of individualism, citizenship and the public good; the failures of manager-led societies; the confusion between leadership and managerialism; military strategy, in particular irregular warfare; the role of freedom of speech and culture; and critiques of the prevailing economic paradigm. He is a champion of freedom of expression and was the International President of PEN International, an association of writers. Saul is the co-founder and co-chair of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, a national charity promoting the inclusion of new citizens. He is also the co-founder and co-chair of 6 Degrees, the global forum for inclusion. Saul is also the husband to the former governor general Adrienne Clarkson, making him the Viceregal consort of Canada during most of her service (1999-2005).

Country

Canada