John Meisel is of Czech origin and came to Canada in 1942. A scholar, teacher and writer, he spent most of his life at Queen's University, Kingston, Canada, from whence he has roamed throughout the world. He is the Sir Edward Peacock Professor of Political Science Emeritus. Blessed with joie de vivre, he makes friends easily; many are former students. He was Chair of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and President of the Royal Society of Canada.