Charles Vincent Massey

Diplomat Charles Vincent Massey was the first Canadian-born individual to be appointed Governor General. During his tenure, he sought to unite Canadians in their diversity and promoted bilingualism 20 years before it became official policy. A supporter of the arts, Massey was instrumental in the creation of the National Centre for the Arts and the Governor General’s Medal in Architecture. In retirement, he dedicated his time to stewardship of the Massey Foundation and its endowment to U of T in particular, creating Massey College and the Massey Lectures.