Peter Desbarats facts for kids

Peter Hullett Desbarats (born July 2, 1933 – died February 11, 2014) was a well-known Canadian writer, playwright, and journalist. He was also a respected leader in journalism education. He served as the dean of journalism at the University of Western Ontario for many years (1981–1997). Later, he held a special position focusing on communications ethics at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario. Peter Desbarats was also a commissioner for the Somalia Inquiry, which was an important investigation in Canada. He was recognized for his contributions and made an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Early Life and Education

Peter Desbarats was born in 1933 in Montreal, Quebec. His father was Hullett Desbarats, who came from a family of printers and publishers. Peter grew up in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce area of Montreal. He attended Loyola High School there.

A Career in Journalism

Peter Desbarats had a long and successful career in journalism that lasted 30 years. He started his journey as a copy boy for the Canadian Press in Montreal. This is Canada's national news organization.

Working in Print and TV News

Desbarats worked in many different roles. He spent time in London's famous Fleet Street working for the Reuters news agency. He also reported on politics and worked as a foreign correspondent for the Montreal Star newspaper. Later, he became a national affairs columnist for the Toronto Star.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, Peter Desbarats became a familiar face on television. He hosted a news and current affairs show on Montreal's CBMT station. In the 1970s, he was a co-anchor and the Ottawa Bureau Chief for the Global Television Network. His excellent work earned him the 1977 ACTRA Award for best news broadcaster.

Leading Journalism Education

After his long career in news, Peter Desbarats became the dean of the journalism school at the University of Western Ontario (UWO). He worked hard to protect the program in the 1990s when the university considered closing it. He successfully fought to keep it open, showing his dedication to future journalists.

Books and Plays

Peter Desbarats was a talented writer who published 13 books. His books covered various topics, from biographies to journalism guides.

• René: A Canadian in Search of Country: This was a very popular biography about René Lévesque, an important political figure.
• Somalia Cover-Up: A Commissioner's Journal: This book shared his experiences and thoughts from his time on the Somalia Inquiry.
• Guide to Canadian News Media: This became a standard textbook for journalism students.

He also wrote several books for children. In 2002, his stage play called Her Worship was performed. It was about the interesting London mayor, Dianne Haskett. Peter Desbarats also worked with cartoonist Aislin to write The Hecklers. This was one of the first books about the history of comics in Canada.

Later in his life, he wrote for major newspapers like The Globe and Mail, the Ottawa Citizen, and The London Free Press. He was also an active volunteer in his community in London, Ontario.