Roland Michener
A former athlete and diplomat who became Canada's governor general, steering the nation through its centennial and a period of profound social change.
1900–1991 (age 91)·Canadian politician·Birthday: April 19·The Lost Generation
Biography
Roland Michener's path to Rideau Hall was anything but conventional. Born in Lacombe, Alberta, he was a Rhodes Scholar and a star athlete at Oxford before returning to Canada to practice law. His political career began in the Ontario legislature, followed by a stint as a federal MP and Speaker of the House. His sharp legal mind and dignified bearing caught the eye of Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, who appointed him High Commissioner to India. In 1967, as Canada celebrated its 100th birthday, Michener was installed as governor general. His tenure, which lasted until 1974, was marked by a conscious effort to modernize the office, making it more accessible and reflective of a bilingual, multicultural Canada. He and his wife, Norah, were a constant, calming presence, traveling extensively to connect with citizens from all walks of life during a turbulent era that included the October Crisis and the rise of Quebec separatism.
The Lost Generation
1883–1900
Came of age during World War I. Disillusioned by the carnage, they rejected the certainties of the Victorian era and built modernism from the wreckage — in art, literature, and politics.
Roland was born in 1900, placing them squarely in The Lost Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Roland Was Born
The biggest hits of 1900
Roland's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1900Born
Boxer Rebellion in China
President: William McKinley
1905Started school
Einstein publishes the theory of special relativity
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1913Became a teenager
The Federal Reserve is established
President: Woodrow Wilson
1916Could drive
The Battle of the Somme claims over a million casualties
President: Woodrow Wilson
1918Could vote
World War I ends; Spanish flu pandemic kills millions
President: Woodrow Wilson
1921Turned 21
First commercial radio broadcasts
President: Warren G. Harding"My Man" — Fanny Brice
1930Turned 30
Pluto discovered
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,510President: Herbert Hoover"Body and Soul" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: All Quiet on the Western Front
1940Turned 40
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1950Turned 50
Korean War begins
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,354Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Goodnight Irene" — Gordon Jenkins & The WeaversBest Picture: All About Eve
1960Turned 60
Kennedy-Nixon debates become first televised presidential debates
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,900Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Theme from A Summer Place" — Percy FaithBest Picture: The Apartment
1970Turned 70
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1980Turned 80
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1991Died at 91
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
Key Achievements
- Served as the 20th Governor General of Canada from 1967 to 1974, presiding over the nation's centennial celebrations.
- Was the first Governor General to establish the tradition of the New Year's Levee open to the general public.
- As Speaker of the House of Commons, he helped establish the procedure for televising parliamentary proceedings.
- Awarded the first ever Roland Michener Award for meritorious public service in Ontario, an award later named in his honor.
- Successfully balanced the ceremonial role of governor general with active diplomacy during a period of constitutional tension.
Did You Know?
He was an excellent boxer and wrestler during his time at Oxford University.
Michener and his wife Norah were known for their daily early morning jogs around the grounds of Rideau Hall.
He was the last Governor General to wear the traditional Windsor uniform for official ceremonies.
Before his vice-regal appointment, he served as Canada's High Commissioner to India.
“The Speaker's role is to defend the rights of all members, not to take sides.”
