Diefenbaker, John G. (George) (1895–1979), a prime minister of Canada. In 1957 he became the first Progressive Conservative prime minister in more than 20 years. As prime minister, he promoted the development of Canada's vast Arctic region and established trade with China. Diefenbaker was a flamboyant orator who was not afraid to state an unpopular opinion. He also was a strong leader who was often accused of running a one-man government. His party was defeated in the 1963 election. Diefenbaker was born in Neustadt, Ontario. When he was eight years old, his family moved to Saskatchewan. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1915 and received a master's degree there in 1916. He served in Europe as an army lieutenant during World War I. He was wounded in 1917 and returned to the university to study law. He received a law degree in 1919. Diefenbaker developed a successful law practice and a reputation as a defender of the underprivileged. Diefenbaker became leader of the Progressive Conservative party in 1956 and remained in that post until 1967. He was elected to Parliament 13 times, serving from 1940 until his death. His memoirs—One Canada, The Crusading Years, 1895–1956—were published in 1976.