Reverend William Pearly Oliver | |
|---|---|
 William Pearly Oliver, 1934 | |
| Born | February 11, 1912 |
| Died | May 26, 1989 (aged 77) Lucasville, Nova Scotia |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Education | BA (1934) BD (1936) Acadia University |
| Alma mater | Acadia University |
| Known for | Instrumental in developing the Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Colored People (1945) Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (1967) Black United Front (1969) Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia (1983) |
| Spouse | Pearleen Borden Oliver |
| Children | William P., Philip W. B., Dr. Leslie H., Jules R., and Stephen D. |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Grandfather, William Oliver, Wolfville |
| Awards | Order of Canada (1985) |
William Pearly Oliver OC CM (February 11, 1912 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia – May 26, 1989 in Lucasville) worked at the Cornwallis Street Baptist Church for twenty-five years (1937–1962) and was instrumental in developing the four leading organizations to support Black Nova Scotians in the 20th century: Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Colored People (1945), the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (1967), the Black United Front (1969) and the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia (1983). He was instrumental in supporting the case of Viola Desmond. Oliver was awarded the Order of Canada in 1984.[1]
His wife Pearleen Oliver was also a strong advocate for social justice.
- ^ Thomson, Colin A. (1986). Born with a Call: A Biography of Dr. William Pearly Oliver, C.M. Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia. ISBN 978-0-921201-01-4.