# John Ralston Saul

_Canadian writer, International PEN president and public intellectual_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/john-ralston-saul
Last updated: 2026-11-01

> John Ralston Saul 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; 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, 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).

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 19 June 1947 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q981841#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Ottawa ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q981841#P19))
- **Citizenship:** Canada ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q981841#P27))
- **Occupation:** opinion journalist; columnist; writer; philosopher; investment banker; politician ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q981841#P106))
- **Education:** McGill University; King's College London; Oakville Trafalgar High School ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q981841#P69))
- **Spouse:** Adrienne Clarkson ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q981841#P26))
- **Official website:** johnralstonsaul.com ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q981841#P856))
- **Positions held:** president (2009–2015) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q981841#P39))
- **Awards:** Companion of the Order of Canada; Order of Ontario; Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres; Governor General's Award for English-language non-fiction; Manhae Prize; Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal; Honorary doctor of the University of Ottawa; Gordon Montador Award ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q981841#P166))
- **X (Twitter):** JohnRalstonSaul ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q981841#P2002))
- **YouTube:** UCusAin3OQyW4XlC9XDpH9QA ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q981841#P2397))

## Questions

**When was John Ralston Saul born?**  
John Ralston Saul was born on 19 June 1947 in Ottawa.

**What positions has John Ralston Saul held?**  
Positions held by John Ralston Saul include: president (2009–2015).

**Where did John Ralston Saul study?**  
John Ralston Saul was educated at McGill University, King's College London, Oakville Trafalgar High School.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): John Ralston Saul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ralston_Saul) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q981841](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q981841) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: John Ralston Saul in 2006 (cropped).jpg by Tavis from Canada (CC BY 2.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Ralston_Saul_in_2006_(cropped).jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article John Ralston Saul, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: John Ralston Saul in 2006 (cropped).jpg — Tavis from Canada, CC BY 2.0.

## Cite this page

"John Ralston Saul". DigiNepal. Last updated 1 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/john-ralston-saul. Retrieved 6 November 2026.