John Ralston Saul

For other people with similar names, see John Ralston (disambiguation) and John Saul (disambiguation).

John Ralston Saul
CC OOnt
Saul delivering a lecture at the University of Alberta in 2006
Born (1947-06-19) 19 June 1947 (age 77)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Writer
  • political philosopher
Spouse
​
(m. 1999)​
President of
PEN International
In office
October 2009 – October 2015
Preceded byJiří Gruša
Succeeded byJennifer Clement
53rd Viceregal consort of Canada
In office
c. 1999 – September 27, 2005
Governor GeneralAdrienne Clarkson
Preceded byDiana Fowler LeBlanc
Succeeded byJean-Daniel Lafond

John Ralston Saul CC OOnt (born June 19, 1947) is a Canadian writer, political philosopher, and public intellectual. Saul is most widely known for his writings on the nature of individualism, citizenship and the public good; the failures of manager-led societies;[1] the confusion between leadership and managerialism; military strategy, in particular irregular warfare; the role of freedom of speech and culture; and critiques of the prevailing economic paradigm. He is a champion of freedom of expression and was the International President of PEN International, an association of writers. Saul is the co-founder and co-chair of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, a national charity promoting the inclusion of new citizens. He is also the co-founder and co-chair of 6 Degrees,[2] the global forum for inclusion. Saul is also the husband to the former governor general Adrienne Clarkson, making him the Viceregal consort of Canada during most of her service (1999–2005).

His work is known for being thought-provoking and ahead of its time, leading him to be called a "prophet" by Time[3] and to be included in Utne Reader's list of the world's leading thinkers and visionaries.[4] His works have been translated into 25 languages in 36 countries.[5]

  1. ^ Or, more precisely, technocrat-led.
  2. ^ "6 Degrees". 6 Degrees. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  3. ^ "John Ralston Saul". Speakers' Spotlight. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  4. ^ "2014 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing Finalist". The Writers' Trust of Canada. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference uwin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).