When O.D. Skelton became Prime Minister Mackenzie Kings foreign policy advisor in 1923, he was already a celebrated critic of the status quo in international and domestic affairs, a loyal Liberal Party man, and a fervent nationalist who believed Canada needed to steer a path independent of Britain. Two years later, he became the permanent head of Canadas Department of External Affairs. Between then and his tragic death in 1941, Skelton created Canadas professional diplomatic service, staffing it with sharp young men such as Lester B. Pearson.Skeltons importance in Ottawa was unparalleled, and his role in shaping Canadas world was formative and crucial. Using research from archives across Canada and around the world, Norman Hillmer presents Skelton not only as a towering intellectual force but as deeply human deceptively quiet, complex, and driven by an outsize ambition for himself and for his country. is the definitive biography of the most influential public servant in Canadas history, written by one of the most prolific Canadian historians of international affairs and the editor of Skeltons voluminous papers.