John E. Read Medal
The Canadian Council on International Law bestows from time to time a gold medal to commemorate the life and work of John E. Read, who was a distinguished member of the International Court of Justice. The awards are granted to Canadians who have made a distinguished contribution to international law and organizations and to non-Canadians who have made an outstanding contribution to international law and organizations in the fields of special interest to Canada.
John E. Read, the first recipient of the Medal, was a Rhodes scholar, and a Professor and Dean of Law at Dalhousie University in the 1920s. He was present during the formative years of the Department of External Affairs, serving as the first Legal Advisor and rose to be Deputy Undersecretary of State (1928-46). Professor Read was a major contributor to the doctrine of the divisibility of the crown and seized on opportunities to extend Canada’s legal independence. He served as a Judge of the International Court of Justice at The Hague (1946-58). Professor Read was an expert in constitutional and international law and wrote “The Origins and Nature of the Law” (1955) and “The Rule of Law on the International Plane” (1961).
Medal Winners: