Edward Graham Lee

Edward Graham Lee was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on November 21, 1931.{{cite book|title=Canadian Who's Who Search|publisher=Grey House Publishing Canada}} He attended the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law (Class of 1955). His interest in international law was sparked by UBC's founding dean George F. Curtis. His 39-year career in Foreign Affairs were a result of the Dean's encouragement.{{cite web |url=http://www.law.ubc.ca/files/pdf/alumni/magazine/alumni_mag_spr06.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-02-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118125934/http://www.law.ubc.ca/files/pdf/alumni/magazine/alumni_mag_spr06.pdf |archivedate=2011-11-18 }} He spent a year practising domestic law with Nathaniel Nemetz and Jack Austin in Vancouver, British Columbia. He found the scope of work in domestic law boring, and returned to Ottawa to continue work in international law.

While involved with the United Nations Human Rights Commission, Lee helped draft the convention against racial discrimination. Although there human rights had previously existed, this was significant because it was hard law that the state would have to comply with. He was an ambassador to South Africa when apartheid was at its worst, but also when changes were being brought about. During this time, Canada provided support, both in statesmanship and funding to help the Black community set up infrastructure. He was able to help Winnie Mandela build a kindergarten and with the fostering of good relations with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Helen Suzman.

His career as a diplomat involved the "Legal Division, Department of External Affairs, Ottawa, 1956. Second Secretary to Jakarta, Indonesia, 1959. Deputy Chief of Protocol, 1961. Head of the United Nations Economic and Social Affairs Section, 1961. Counsellor to London, 1965. Director of Legal Operations, 1969-71, and of Personnel Operations, 1971-73. Legal Advisor and Director General of the Bureau of Legal Affairs, 1973-75. Ambassador to Israel{{cite web |url=http://www.international.gc.ca/department/history-histoire/hplSearch_results.asp?frm=post&lngId=1&cntryid=94&showNotes=1 |title=Heads of Posts List |website=www.international.gc.ca |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512134044/http://www.international.gc.ca/department/history-histoire/hplSearch_results.asp?frm=post&lngId=1&cntryid=94&showNotes=1 |archive-date=2013-05-12}} and High Commissioner to Cyprus,{{cite web |url=http://www.international.gc.ca/department/history-histoire/hp_search_results-en.asp?frm=post&lngId=1&cntryid=50 |title=Heads of Posts List |website=www.international.gc.ca |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425090524/http://www.international.gc.ca/department/history-histoire/hp_search_results-en.asp?frm=post&lngId=1&cntryid=50 |archive-date=2013-04-25}} 1975. Assistant Under-Secretary for United States Affairs, 1979-82. Ambassador to South Africa{{cite web |url=http://www.international.gc.ca/department/history-histoire/hplSearch_results.asp?frm=post&lngId=1&cntryid=181&showNotes=1 |title=Heads of Posts List |website=www.international.gc.ca |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512160902/http://www.international.gc.ca/department/history-histoire/hplSearch_results.asp?frm=post&lngId=1&cntryid=181&showNotes=1 |archive-date=2013-05-12}} and High Commissioner to Lesotho and Swaziland,{{cite web |url=http://www.international.gc.ca/department/history-histoire/hplSearch_results.asp?frm=post&lngId=1&cntryid=187&showNotes=1 |title=Heads of Posts List |website=www.international.gc.ca |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512151016/http://www.international.gc.ca/department/history-histoire/hplSearch_results.asp?frm=post&lngId=1&cntryid=187&showNotes=1 |archive-date=2013-05-12}} and Canadian Representative to Namibia, 1982-86. Legal Advisor and Assistant Deputy Minister for Legal, Consular and Immigration Affairs, 1986-90. Ambassador to Austria, Governor of Canada to the International Atomic Energy Agency,{{Cite web|url=http://www.iaea.org/About/Policy/GC/GC36/GC36InfDocuments/English/gc36inf-313-rev2_en.pdf|title = GC documents archives}} Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna and to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, 1990-93".{{cite web |url=http://www.international.gc.ca/department/history-histoire/hplSearch_results.asp?frm=person&lan=1&prsnid=215&showNotes=1 |title=Heads of Posts List |website=www.international.gc.ca |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512132209/http://www.international.gc.ca/department/history-histoire/hplSearch_results.asp?frm=person&lan=1&prsnid=215&showNotes=1 |archive-date=2013-05-12}}

After officially retiring from his diplomatic career, he became an adjunct professor of international law at the University of Ottawa, and the president of the Canadian Council on International Law.

Lee died on April 8, 2020, at the age of 88.{{cite news |title=Edward Graham Lee (Ted) |url=https://ottawacitizen.remembering.ca/obituary/edward-lee-1078982546/ |access-date=21 December 2023 |publisher=Ottawa Citizen}}

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Category:1931 births

Category:2020 deaths

Category:Ambassadors of Canada to Austria

Category:Ambassadors of Canada to Israel

Category:Ambassadors of Canada to South Africa

Category:People from Vancouver

Category:Peter A. Allard School of Law alumni

Category:University of British Columbia alumni

Category:Canadian lawyers