Article

Larkin Kerwin

Published Online February 7, 2008

Last Edited March 24, 2017

John Larkin Kerwin, physicist, research director (born 22 June 1924 in Québec City, Québec; died 1 May 2004 in Québec City). Kerwin joined Laval's physics department in 1946 after study at St Francis Xavier, U of T and Massachusetts Inst of Technology and, after earning his DSc at Laval, rose to become its rector in 1972.

Kerwin, John Larkin

John Larkin Kerwin, physicist, research director (born 22 June 1924 in Québec City, Québec; died 1 May 2004 in Québec City). Kerwin joined Laval's physics department in 1946 after study at St Francis Xavier, U of T and Massachusetts Inst of Technology and, after earning his DSc at Laval, rose to become its rector in 1972. He was one of the first Quebecers to specialize in atomic physics, the first layman to become rector of Laval, and the first Quebecer appointed president of the NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (1980-89). He was also the first president (1989-92) of the CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY.

At the NRC he prepared a 5-year expansion plan focused on industrial research and laid the foundations of a closer relationship between the NRC and the Cabinet. In Dec 1987 he received the Outstanding Achievement Award, the highest award for federal public servants. Kerwin became an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1978 and was promoted to Companion in 1980. He received the Légion d'Honneur de France in 1989.