Brooke Claxton
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The Honourable Brooke Claxton |
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| Member of the Canadian Parliament for St. Lawrence--St. George |
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In office 1940–1954 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Cahan |
| Succeeded by | Claude Richardson |
| Minister of National Defence | |
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In office 1946–1954 |
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| Prime Minister | William Lyon Mackenzie King |
| Preceded by | Douglas Abbott |
| Succeeded by | Ralph Campney |
| Minister of Health | |
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In office 1943–1946 |
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| Prime Minister | William Lyon Mackenzie King |
| Preceded by | Ian Alistair Mackenzie |
| Succeeded by | Alfred Johnson Brooks |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
23 August 1898 Montreal, Quebec |
| Died | 6 June 1960 (aged 61) Ottawa, Ontario |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Service/branch | Canadian Army |
| Years of service | 1914-1918 |
| Rank | Battery Sergeant-Major |
| Unit | 10th Canadian Siege Battery |
| Awards | Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) |
Brooke Claxton, PC, DCM, QC (Brian Brooke Claxton) (23 August 1898 – 13 June 1960) was a Canadian veteran of World War I, federal Minister of National Health and Welfare and Minister of National Defence.
He was born in Montreal and received his early education at Lower Canada College. He was a gifted student and entered McGill University in September 1915 after completing grade 11. While at McGill he was a member of The Kappa Alpha Society. After a year at university he left McGill in 1916 and enlisted with the Victoria Rifles of Canada.
He served overseas with the Royal Canadian Artillery and saw action, which experience marked him profoundly. He was promoted to the rank of Battery Sergeant-Major in the field and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Returning to Canada after the War, Brooke Claxton completed his course at McGill, graduating with honours in Law. He practised his profession in Montreal. In 1939 he was created a King's Counsel. He had an academic post at McGill where he was associate professor of commercial law until 1944.
Brooke Claxton was active in community service. He served as President of the Canadian Club of Montreal, Chairman of the Montreal branch of the Canadian Institute of International Affairs, Chairman of the Board of Governors of Lower Canada College from 1925 until 1934, and was a graduate fellow of the Corporation of McGill University. The burgeoning nationalism after World War I led Brooke Claxton to become involved in associations such as the Canadian League and the League of Nations Society. He was also an intervenor on behalf of the federal government in the constitutional issue concerning jurisdiction over radio broadcasting. He was active in laying the foundations for the establishment of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
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