Guy Sylvestre

Guy Sylvestre (Jean-Guy Sylvestre), OC, L.Ph., MA, D.Bibl., D.Litt., LL.D, FRSC (born May 17, 1918) is a former Canadian literary critic, librarian and civil servant.

Born in Sorel, Quebec, attended College Ste-Marie, Montreal, Quebec, he received his B.A. in 1939 and MA in 1942 from the University of Ottawa and began his literary career as writer and critic there.

By his early 20s, he was already the author of several articles in journals and newspapers, literary critic for Le Droit 1939-48, and founder of his own journal. He also worked at WWII Wartime Information Board in 1944-45. Publication of "Anthologie de la poésie canadienne d’expression française" established him as an intellectual and a specialist in Canadian poetry. He was a member of the Académie canadienne-française from 1965 to 1983.

He was private secretary to the Rt. Hon. Louis St. Laurent, Prime Minister of Canada, between 1945 and 1950.

In 1956 to 1968, he was Associate Director of the Library of Parliament, 1956-68; and then National Librarian National Library of Canada, 1968-83. He was President of the Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions from 1983 to 1986; Chaiman, Ottawa Valley Book Festival, 1988-92; Past Chairman of Committee for The Governor General's Literary Award; Past Chairman, Canadian Writers Foundation; past President, Royal Society of Canada, 1973-74; Académie canadienne-française, 1965-92; President, World Poetry Conference, 1967.

Ordre International du bien public, 1970; Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland ; IFLA Medal; Canadien Representative Intergovernmental Council for General Information Programs,

Unesco 1979-83; Canadian Delegation to UNESCO, Conferences 1949, 1970, 1972, 1974; Chairman, Conference of Directors of National Libraries, 1974-77; Chairman, National Libraries Section, IFLA, 1977-81; Canadian Public Service Outstanding Public Service Award, 1983; Societa' Dante Alighieri, rome, 1971; Life member, Canadian Library Association,(CLA); Association Technologie de la documentation; Honorary Life member, Ontario Library Association(OLA); Member and First President, Canadian Association for Information Science; Roman Catholic; Recipient of Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.

In 1943, he married Françoise Poitevin. They had a daughter (Marie) and three sons (Jean, Louis and Paul). They have two grandchildren Jean Martin and Julie Michelle.

Author

*Louis Francoeur, journaliste, 1941
*Situation de la poésie canadienne, 1942
*Anthologie de la poésie canadienne d'expression française, 1943
*Poètes catholiques de la France contemporaine, 1944
*Jules Laforgue, 1945
*Sondages, 1945
*Impressions de théâtre, 1950
*Panorama des lettres canadiennes françaises, 1964
*Canadian writers / Écrivains canadiens, 1964
*Un siècle de littérature canadienne, 1967
*Guidelines for national libraries, 1987.

External links

* [http://www.collectionscanada.ca/50th/012009-224-e.html Collections Canada: A Speech by Dr. Guy Sylvestre]
* [http://www.collectionscanada.ca/50th/012009-202-e.html Collections Canada: Guy Sylvestre]
* [http://www.rsc.ca/index.php?page=past_presidents&page_id=75&lang_id=1 The Royal Society of Canada: Past Presidents]
* [http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla68/papers/104-101e.pdf IFLA Anniversary]
* [http://www.canadiana.org/pdf/en/cihm_history.pdf Canadiana: CIHM Anniversary]
* [http://www.ifla.org/VII/s1/gnl/index.htm IFLA Guidelines for National Libraries]
* [http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-69-2315-13526-10/on_this_day/life_society/twt CBC News Archive: The National Library of Canada opens new HQ]
* [http://www.hrma-agrh.gc.ca/hr-rh/ar-pr/outstanding/oaa_par_e.asp PSC: Outstanding Performance Awards]