Bibliography of Works About John P. Humphrey

by Louisa Piatti, Reference Librarian, McGill University Libraries

This bibliography covers the years 1983-2000 for information resources about John Peters Humphrey. It will include selected monographs, journal articles, newspaper articles and Internet sources.

Monographs / Chapters in Books

Hobbins, A. J., Ed. On the Edge of Greatness: the Diaries of John Humphrey, First Director of the United Nations Division of Human Rights. Montreal: McGill University Libraries, 1994- . (Fontanus Monograph Series).

Volume 1 (1948-1949). 1994

Volume 2 (1950-1951). 1996

Volume 3 (1952-1957). 1998

Volume 4 (1958-1966). 2000

--------. "John Peters Humphrey: a Crusader for Human Rights" in Patricia Morales (ed.) Towards Global Human Rights. Tillburg, Netherlands: International Centre for Human and Public Affairs, 1996. pp. 87-90.

Journal Articles

"I do declare." Canada's Stamp Details 7(5) (September/October 1998)

Also at URL: http://www.canadapost.ca/CPC2/phil/stamp/humpart.html

"Impacting humanity." [Canada Post issuing stamp honouring author of first draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights] Canadian Stamp News 23(9) (September 15/28 1998): 1,14.

"Remembering a UN Contribution." MacLean’s 111 (no 26) (July 01 1998): 12.

Bissonnette, Lise. "John Humphrey: un avocat de la multiplication des droits." Forces 90 (été, 1990): 50-51.

--------. " John Humphrey -- an advocate for broader human rights." Forces 90 (summer, 1990): 52.

Doherty, Earl. "John Peters Humphrey, unsung Canadian hero: celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Canadian who was at the centre of its creation." Humanist in Canada 31(4) (Winter 1998/99): 27,26.

Globensky, Peter Andre. "The life of a Canadian internationalist: Dr. John Peters Humphrey and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." University of New Brunswick Law Journal 47 (1998): 5-17.

Harvey, Julien. "John Peters Humphrey, in memoriam." Relations 611 (June 1995): 134.

Hobbins, A. J. "A Frank Scott Letter from 1937" Fontanus X (1998): 112-115.

--------."Canadian Unity in Quebec in 1942: a Roundtable Discussion among John Humphrey, Hugh MacLennan and Émile Vaillancourt." Fontanus VI (1993): 119-141. Partially reprinted and translated as "Le Québec devant l’unité canadienne" Cité libre XXIII (mai-juin, 1995): 11-17. Also at http://www.HistoryTelevision.ca/humphrey/english/jph_rnd.htm

--------. "Dear Rufus…": a Law Student’s Life at McGill in the Roaring Twenties from the letters of John P. Humphrey." McGill Law Journal XLIV (No. 3 1999): 753-778. Also at http://www.journal.law.mcgill.ca/abs/443hobbi.htm

--------. "Eleanor Roosevelt, John Humphrey and Canadian Opposition to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: looking back on the 50th Anniversary." International Journal LIII (Spring, 1998): 325-342.

--------. "Human Rights inside the United Nations: the Humphrey Diaries, 1948-1959." Fontanus IV (1991): 143-173. Also at http://www.HistoryTelevision.ca/humphrey/english/jph

--------. "Humphrey and the High Commissioner: the Genesis of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights." Journal of the History of International Law. III (2001), pp. 38-74.

--------. "Humphrey and the Old Revolution: Human Rights in the Age of Mistrust." Fontanus VIII (1995): 121-136. Also at http://www.HistoryTelevision.ca/humphrey/english/jph_orev.htm

--------. "John Peters Humphrey: a Tribute." Canadian Yearbook of International Law XXXIII (1995): 333-341. [One page editorial tribute followed by extract from "René Cassin and the Daughter of Time"].

--------. "John Peters Humphrey and the Genesis of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." Journal of Oriental Studies IX (1999): 24-41.

--------. "Jyon P. Hanfuri to sekei jinken sengen no engen." Toyo Gakujutsu Kenkyu XXXVII (No. 2, 1998): 59-81.

--------. "Mentor and Protégé: Percy Corbett relationship with John Peters Humphrey." Canadian Yearbook of International Law 37 (1999): 3-56.

--------. "René Cassin and the Daughter of Time: the First Draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." Fontanus II (1989): 7-26. Also at http://www.HistoryTelevision.ca/humphrey/english/jph_rene.htm

Huot, François. "John Humphrey: un pionnier des droits de l'homme." Magazine justice 5 (no 8), (décembre, 1983): 14-18.

Katz, Helena. "Fighting for the Right." McGill News (Winter, 1998): 21-25. Also at URL: http://www.mcgill.ca/alumni/news/w98/human.htm

Kilgour, David. "Canada and the World [Ottawa Process, 50th anniversary of UN Declaration of Human Rights]." Canadian Social Studies 32(4) (Summer, 1998): 112.

MacDonald, R. St. J. "Leadership in law: John P. Humphrey and the development of the international law of human rights." Canadian Yearbook of International Law 29 (1991): 3-91.

Woodard, Joe. "Honoured in the breach [50th anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights]. " Alberta Report 25(6) (January 26 1998): 30.

Newspaper Articles

"A special link to Human Rights Day." Toronto Star (November 19, 1998): A35.

"Canada has a role to play." The Winnipeg Sun (December 24, 1998): 17.

"Canadian lauded for UN treaty." The Toronto Star (May 30, 1990): A16.

"Canada was reluctant to support UN Declaration." Globe and Mail (November 27, 1998): A14.

"Crusader created "conscience of mankind" (John Peters Humphrey)." Globe and Mail (December 9, 1992): A8.

"Déclaration des droits: le role d’un Montréalais." Le Devoir (18 décembre 1998): A10.

"Human Rights award created." The Fredericton Daily Gleaner (December 14, 1998): C3.

"Human Rights: Award-winning monk to speak on Tibet." Vancouver Sun (December 15, 1998) B1.

"Humphrey penned UN rights statement." The Gazette (Montreal) (May 28, 1999): A7.

"John Humphrey honoré à McGill." La Presse (7 novembre 1995): A6.

"Le juriste J. P. Humphrey sera honoré samedi prochain." Le Devoir (25 fevrier 1986): P4.

"Montréal sera l’hôte d’une conference mondiale sur les droits de la personne." Le Devoir (12 décembre 1997): A4.

"Prix John Humphrey pour la liberté: un jésuite est couronné." Le Devoir (1 août 1997): A5.

"Recognition granted: three years after his death and 50 years after he wrote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, John Humphrey's work is being honoured at an exhibition in Ottawa." The Gazette (Montreal) (June 27, 1998): B1-2.

"Salute considered for human rights declaration author." Fredericton Daily Gleaner (August 2, 1999): A4 (also published as "Rights writer remembered." Moncton Times and Transcript, Atlantic Canada (July 30 1999): A12.

"Thinkers gather to discuss human rights." [Symposium to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, written by Canadian John Humphrey] Vancouver Sun (July 24,1998): A14.

"UN honors Canadian for human rights." Toronto Star (October 14, 1988): B3.

"WHAT WAS SAID: The vision and reality 50 years later." Edmonton Journal (November 27, 1998): A20.

Adam, Marcel. "La Souveraineté: Principal obstacle aux droits humains." La Presse (21 juin 1986): B2.

Barker, Jeremy. "Architect of the UN declaration preferred to work outside the spotlight." [Universal Declaration of Human Rights] National Post (December 10,1998): A2.

Beaudoin, Gerald A. "Hommage au juriste John Humphrey." Le Devoir (10 avril 1995): A9.

Bonhomme, Jean-Pierre. "John P. Humphrey: Cet éminent juriste fut le rédacteur de la Déclaration universelle des droits." La Presse (8 septembre 1991): B3.

Cahill, Jack. "How Canadian drafted UN rights charter". Toronto Star (December 10, 1988): D5.

--------, "Provisions often cited in law, ignored in fact." Toronto Star (December 9, 1988): A16.

Das, Satya. "One Canadian's legacy felt around the world." Edmonton Journal (November 15, 1998): A1.

Deglise, Fabien. "John Peters Humphrey." Le Devoir (5 décembre 1998): F3.

Gagné, Louise. "L’Aventure des droits humains à l’ ONU." Le Devoir (9 décembre 1985): P7.

Gold, Marta. "Free trade foe hails UN rights author." Vancouver Sun (May 28, 1999): A11.

--------. "John Humphrey wrote `Magna Carta of mankind': Professor championed international human rights." Ottawa Citizen (May 28, 1999): A4.

--------."Law professor inspired Edmonton judge." Calgary Herald (May 28, 1999): A13.

Harvey, Reginald. "Congrès mondial sur la declaration universelle des droits de l’homme." Le Devoir (5 décembre 1998): F2.

Howard, Rhoda E. "The rights of the world's people: Fifty years ago tomorrow, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was approved by the UN, a major step forward in recognizing basic rights for everyone." Hamilton Spectator (December 9, 1998): A11.

Morrison, Campbell. "Humphrey honoured." Fredericton Daily Gleaner (September 25, 1998): A3.

Murray, Maureen. "Human Rights Day marked: millions observe anniversary of UN Declaration." Toronto Star (December 10, 1997): A2.

Noreau, Pierre Paul. "50e anniversaire de la déclaration des droits de l’homme. De l’honneur à l’espoir." Le Soleil (19 décembre, 1998): D1.

Nowell, Iris. "From evil came thrust for human rights." Toronto Star (December 05, 1998): B2.

Picard, Andre. "Obituary: John Peters Humphrey wrote Declaration of Human Rights." Globe and Mail (March 19, 1995): A21.

Pellerin, André. "Humphrey: un travail pour l'humanité." Le Nouvelliste (Trois-Rivières) (7 septembre, 1998): 27.

Perry, Charles. "Moncton designer creates UN stamp Canada Post stamp honours New Brunswicker's contribution to Universal Declaration of Human Rights." Moncton Times and Transcript (October 7, 1998): A3.

Perry, Charles. "We haven't lived up to John Humphrey's work." Moncton Times and Transcript (December 14, 1998): A3.

Roy, Paul. "Un moine tibétain reçoit le prix John Humphrey." La Presse (11 décembre, 1998): A10.

Schnurmacher, Thomas. "Bishop in East Timor receives award: Carlos Belo honored for work in defense and promotion of human rights." The Gazette (Montreal) (December 8, 1995): D12.

Swoger, Kate. "Rewriting History at McGill." The Gazette (Montreal) (June 27, 2000): A5.

Tramier, Sylvianne. "La Magna Carta de l’humanité." Le Devoir (10 décembre, 1993): A1.

Trudel Clément. "Le prix John Humphrey à l’avocate Sultana Karmal." Le Devoir (26 octobre, 1996): A2.

--------. "Un grand humaniste disparait John Peters Humphrey fut un pionnier à la defense des droits." Le Devoir (18 mars, 1995): A3.

"Déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme: le Canada a failli rater la signature historique de 1948." Le Devoir (3 Octobre, 1998): A8.

"Les Nations Unies: Un rêve non encore réalisé: bilan d’un participant de la première heure." Le Devoir (26 Octobre 1985): P4

WEB sites and audio visual materials

"By his hand: the story of the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." [videorecording] (Scarborough, Ont.: Omega Films Ltd., 1991). 1 videocassette (25min.).

"Canadians and human rights." (cited May 28, 2000).

Available: http://www.historytelevision.ca/humphrey/english/jph.htm

Last Modified: March 17, 1999.

"Research John Peters Humphrey." (cited May 28, 2000).

Available: http://www.historytelevision.ca/humphrey/english/jph.htm

Last Modified: March 17, 1999.

"JOHN HUMPHREY and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." (cited May 28, 2000) .

Available: http://www.radio.cbc.ca/programs/thismorning/archives/1998/humphrey.html

Last Modified: March 11, 2000.

"John Peters Humphrey." (cited May 28, 2000).

Available: http://www.heritageproject.ca/learning/jph

Last Modified: May 11, 2000.

"Initiation à la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme." (cited May 28, 2000).

Available: http://www.gov.nb.ca/hrc-cdp/f/humphrf2.htm

Last Modified: May 03, 2000.

"John Humphrey Biography." (cited May 28, 2000).

Available: http://www.udhr50.org/history/Biographies/biojh.htm

Last Modified: March 07, 1999.

"John Peters Humphrey." (cited May 28, 2000).

Available:

http://www.pch.gc.ca/credo/english/indexudor.html

Last modified: January 14, 1999.

"Tribute to John Humphrey." (cited May 28, 2000).

Available:

http://www.pch.gc.ca/ddp-hrd/english/jhummem.htm

Last modified: February 25, 1998.

"John Peters Humphrey and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." (cited May 28, 2000).

Available: http://pgs.ca/pages/mem/jphex.htm

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Additional Items supplied by John Hobbins, Monday, January 26, 2004.

 1. (with Ann Walter). "Humphrey and the quest for compensation: Individual claims against States and the creation of new international law." Canadian yearbook of International Law (2004). In Press. Deals with Humphrey's work at the UN to develop the Option Protocol to the Covenant on civil/political rights (allowing individuals to take their own country to the UN for violations) and ECOSOC Resolution 1503 (allowing individuals to take other countries to task for violations). Decades later Humphrey became involved from the consumer end as counsel for various groups using these remedies - these include cases against Japan (Hong Kong veterans and comfort women) and against Canada (Thalidomide victims, Hong Kong veterans, and Quebec languages laws).

2. "Designating the Dean of Law: attempts to control the nature of legal education at McGill University by the Montreal corporate and professional elite, 1946-1950." Dalhousie Law Journal (2004). In press. Title says it all. Humphrey like Scott was one of the unsuitable candidates. Basically McGill history but was one of the reasons Humphrey went to the UN.

3. (with Jeff King). "Hammarskjöld and Human Rights: the Deflation of the UN Human Rights Programme, 1953-1961." Journal of the History of International Law. V (2003), pp. 337-386. Chronicles the long struggle between Humphrey and Hammarskjöld (who wanted to close down the UN human rights program entirely). This (published last month) is likely to be controversial since the revered Hammarskjöld was not known to be the enemy of the UN human rights effort (until now of course).

4. (with Daniel Boyer). "Seeking Historical Truth: the International Commission of Inquiry into the 1932-33 Famine in Ukraine. Dalhousie Law Journal. XXIV (2002), pp. 139-191. Humphrey was one of seven Commissioners dealing with a case alleging genocide brought against the Soviet Union by the World Congress of Free Ukrainians in the late 1980s. The issues were so complicated that the report was only signed by two commissioners (including Humphrey), there were four different minority reports, and one commissioner died in media res without giving an opinion.

5. "John Humphrey's schooldays: the influence of a private school education on the Canadian who drafted of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." McGill Journal of Education. XXXVII (2002), pp. 141-158. Covers the orphaned Humphrey's four years at Rothesay Collegiate School, a boarding school run on the British model. The abuses were such that he became an advocate of individual rights at an early age.

6. "John Humphrey's Early Life and its Influence on the First Draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." World Congress on Human Coexistence and Sustainable Development. Proceedings. Montreal, 2000. Montreal: Editions Montmorency, 2001. Vol. 1, pp. 200-205. Conference paper. Covers similar ground to the Japanese article and is probably, if possible, less useful.

7. "Humphrey and the High Commissioner: the Genesis of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights." Journal of the History of International Law. III (2001), pp. 38-74. We finally got a High Commissioner in 1993. However, the idea sprang from an 1963 speech by Jacob Blaustein and we nearly got one 30 years earlier. Humphrey came up with the idea and wrote Blaustein's speech. Over the next five years he worked in the background (as an international servant he could not openly espouse causes) to realize the concept and came very close to success with the help of a number of NGOs.

8. "Mentor and Protégé: Percy Corbett's relationship with John Peters Humphrey." Canadian Yearbook of International Law, 1999. XXXVII (2000), pp. 3-56. More (doubtless boring) McGill history stuff showing where Humphrey got his ideas for a new international legal system in the pre-war years.

9. ""Dear RufusŠ": a Law Student's Life at McGill in the Roaring Twenties from the letters of John P. Humphrey. " McGill Law Journal XLIV (No. 3, 1999), pp. 753-778. Also at http://www.journal.law.mcgill.ca/abs/443hobbi.htm .Life as a student in the 1920s .

10. "John Peters Humphrey and the Genesis of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights" Journal of Oriental Studies IX (1999) pp. 24-41. A generalized and not especially scholarly treatment - probably okay for undergrads.

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November 29, 2004