Background
Berton Pierre was born on July 12, 1920, in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. He is the son of Francis George and Laura (Thompson) Berton.
Berton Pierre was born on July 12, 1920, in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. He is the son of Francis George and Laura (Thompson) Berton.
Pierre Berton earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of British Columbia in 1941.
Berton enjoyed a varied career as a magazine editor, television panelist, and author of books - often on history - for both adults and children. Graduating from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in 1941, he worked briefly for the Vancouver News-Herald before World War II, when he enlisted in the Canadian Army. After World War II ended, he returned to journalism, working for the Vancouver Sun for a year before joining the staff at Maclean's magazine, where he served in various editorial positions until 1958.
With a growing family to support, Berton pursued careers as an author and television host to earn additional income. He hosted the Pierre Berton Show from 1957 until 1973 and was best remembered as a panelist on the Canadian game show Front Page Challenge, where he appeared for thirty-seven years, beginning in 1957. He also hosted Heritage Theatre from 1947 to 1958. Berton found success, too, as a prolific author of history books for adult and young readers. Among these are such award-winning books as The Mysterious North (1956), The Klondike Fever (1958), the two-volume The Great Railway (1970, 1971), and The Invasion of Canada, 1812-1813 (1977).
Pierre Berton is a notable Canadian author and journalist. In his lifetime, he received 37 awards and recognitions, along with a dozen honorary degrees from York University, Dalhousie University, Brock University, University of Windsor and others. Pierre Berton is a member of Canada's Walk of Fame since 1998.
(Covering the entire period of exploration from the expedi...)
1988(In 1871, a tiny nation, just four years old - it's popula...)
1970(In the four years between 1881 and 1885, Canada was forge...)
1971(With the building of the railroad and the settlement of t...)
1972
Quotations:
“My best advice to writers is to get yourself born in an interesting place.”
“Racism is a refuge for the ignorant. It seeks to divide and to destroy. It is the enemy of freedom, and deserves to be met head-on and stamped out.”
“I am an atheist, a rationalist, and a humanist.”
“I only write books about dead people. They can't sue.”
“I’m Pierre Berton and that’s how to roll a joint.”
Pierre Berton describes himself as an atheist, a rationalist, and a humanist. He was regarded as witty and persistently humorous as a person. Berton once described his 40-years of smoking marijuana experience.
Pierre Berton was married to Janet Berton in 1946. He had eight children.
