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Born June 3rd, 1900, died 1984.
Was an honorary citizen of North Carolina
Received the Order of Canada, which is presented to a limited number of Canadians who exemplify the highest qualities of citizenship and whose contributions enrich the lives of their contemporaries.
There is a Gordon Sinclair Award given to journalists that have outspoken opinions and integrity in broadcasting.
The horrible events of September 11, 2001 have spawned a flurry of e-mail activity that included one titled "A Tribute to the United States". This was actually written at the end of the Viet Nam war by Gordon Sinclair.
Sinclair was initially a "newspaper man". At the young age of 22, he landed a reporting job with the Toronto Daily Star. In the late 20's and 30's he traveled the world, contributing assignments as he went.
In 1942, he made the jump to radio and began a program entitled "Let's Be Personal". His first commentary outlined the leaders in the Raid on Dieppe. His most famous broadcast was "The Americans", first aired June 5, 1973. It resulted in a record. The commentary was published with the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Years later, on a visit to Canada, President Reagan mentioned to Prime Minister Trudeau that he had a copy of that record. Trudeau arranged to have Sinclair flown to Ottawa to meet Reagan.
He went on to host radio shows called Ontario Panorama, Show Business and the television series Front Page Challenge.
His two trips around the world resulted in several books he authored, including "Footloose in India", "Cannibal Quest", "Will the Real Gordon Sinclair Please Stand Up" and "Will the Real Gordon Sinclair Please Sit Down".
He has received many awards and distinctions throughout his career.
History Behind The Americans - CFRB Biography
Red, White & Canadian Archives
"Gordon Sinclair's death ends one of the longest and most remarkable careers in Canadian Journalism. His wit, irreverence, bluntness and off-beat views have been part of the media landscape for so long that many Canadians had come to believe he would always be there."
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
