John P. Humphrey

John Peters Humphrey was born to Frank Humphrey and Nellie Peter in Hampton, New Brunswick in 1905. As a young man, Humphrey suffered many tragedies; he lost both of his parents to cancer before he was 12 years old, and he lost his arm after severe burns required it to be amputated. According to one biography, “These early experiences shaped his views about the value of treating individuals with dignity and respect.” Humphrey earned three degrees from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec: A Bachelor of Commerce in 1925, a Bachelor of Arts in 1927, and a Bachelor of Law in 1929. He then practiced law for a few years, becoming particularly interested in international law, and before joining the law school faculty at McGill University. After a decade of teaching, Humphrey was called to serve as the first Director of the United Nation’s Division of Human Rights. He was ultimately responsible for writing the first draft of the UDHR and forty years after the documents ratification he received the UN Human Rights Award to acknowledge his key role.