George Ethelbert Carter facts for kids
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George Ethelbert Carter was a very important person in Canadian history. He was the first black judge born in Canada. This means he was the first judge of Black heritage who was born in Canada. He helped make the legal system fairer for everyone.
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Early Life and Education
George Ethelbert Carter was born in Toronto, Canada, on August 1, 1921. He was the oldest of 14 children in his family! His parents, John and Louise Carter, had moved to Toronto from Barbados after World War I.
George worked very hard to get his education. He studied at Trinity College, which is part of the University of Toronto, and finished his first degree in 1944. To pay for his law school tuition, he worked as a porter. A porter is someone who carries luggage or performs other services.
Serving His Country
After finishing his first degree, George was called to serve in World War II. He was on his way to Europe to join the fight when the war finally ended.
Becoming a Lawyer
In 1948, George graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School. This is a famous law school in Toronto. After becoming a lawyer, he started his own law firm. For 31 years, he helped people with different legal issues. He worked on cases involving real estate (like buying and selling homes), criminal law, and family law.
A Judge for Justice
In 1979, George Ethelbert Carter made history. He was appointed as a judge in the Ontario provincial court. This made him the first Canadian-born black judge. He served as a judge for 16 years in the Ontario Court of Justice.
Helping People with Legal Aid
One of George Carter's biggest achievements was helping to create Legal Aid in Ontario. Legal Aid is a program that helps people who cannot afford a lawyer get legal help. This was a very important step to make sure everyone, no matter how much money they had, could get fair legal support.
Lasting Legacy
George Ethelbert Carter left a lasting mark on Canada. In May 2014, a special statue, called a bust, was put in the Osgoode Hall Library to honor him. A television documentary movie was also made about his life in 2010.
In 2014, he was given a very special award called the Order of Ontario. This award recognizes people who have shown outstanding achievement and made a big difference in Ontario.
George Ethelbert Carter passed away on June 7, 2018, due to heart problems. His life showed that with hard work and determination, you can achieve great things and help many people.
