Agnes McCausland Benidickson (''

née A birth name is the name of a person given upon birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name, or the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a birth certificate or birth re ...

'' Richardson; August 19, 1920 – March 23, 2007) was the first female chancellor of Queen's University at

Kingston, Ontario Kingston is a city in Ontario, Canada. It is located on the north-eastern end of Lake Ontario, at the beginning of the St. Lawrence River and at the mouth of the Cataraqui River (south end of the Rideau Canal). The city is midway between Toro ...

, Canada, from 1980 to 1996. Queen's highest honour for student service to the University, is named in her honour. Recipients of the Agnes Benidickson Tricolour Award are awarded admission into the Agnes Benidickson Tricolour Society.

Personal life

Born in Chaffeys Locks, Ontario, Agnes McCausland Richardson was the daughter of the former Queen's Chancellor James Armstrong Richardson Sr., who served from 1929 to 1939. She was named after her aunt Agnes McCausland Richardson Etherington (1880–1954). She was raised in

Winnipeg Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is centred on the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, near the longitudinal centre of North America. , Winnipeg had a city population of 749,6 ...

, and received her B.A. degree from Queen's in 1941, and an

LL.D. Legum Doctor (Latin: “teacher of the laws”) (LL.D.) or, in English, Doctor of Laws, is a doctorate-level academic degree in law or an honorary degree, depending on the jurisdiction. The double “L” in the abbreviation refers to the early ...

degree in 1979. She is the sister of the Honourable James A. Richardson Jr., who was a Trudeau-era

Liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

member of the Canadian Parliament and cabinet minister. In 1947, she married

William Moore Benidickson William Moore Benidickson, (April 8, 1911 – April 1, 1985) was a Canadian politician. He was the Liberal-Labour Member of Parliament for Kenora—Rainy River for over twenty years. Born in Manitoba of Icelandic stock, Benidickson served in ...

(1911–1985), who was a Liberal MP and later became a Cabinet minister and

Senator A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...

. She was made an Officer of the

Order of Canada The Order of Canada (french: Ordre du Canada; abbreviated as OC) is a Canadian state order and the second-highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit. To coincide with the ...

in 1987, and promoted to a Companion in 1998. In 1987, she received an honorary Doctors of Law degree from the

University of British Columbia The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public university, public research university with campuses near Vancouver and in Kelowna, British Columbia. Established in 1908, it is British Columbia's oldest university. The university ranks a ...

. In 1991, she was awarded the

Order of Ontario The Order of Ontario () is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is adm ...

. She died on March 23, 2007, at her home in Ottawa. From her obituary:

Agnes lived a life enriched by her family, her travels, her experiences and above all by her service to community and country through a host of organizations which she founded, helped to lead and sustain through her tireless volunteer efforts. Her life and her example will continue to be celebrated by her children, Jamie, Kris and Kathleen, their partners Melanie Mallet, Shirley Benidickson, and Alex Ramsay, daughter-in-law Victoria Young-Benidickson, granddaughters Nicola Benidickson, Kirsten Benidickson, Martha and Leigh Ramsay, her extended family, and all who were touched by the commitment, insight, grace and generosity which were the hallmarks of her life.

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Benidickson, Agnes 1920 births 2007 deaths Companions of the Order of Canada Members of the Order of Ontario Chancellors of Queen's University at Kingston Queen's University at Kingston alumni James Richardson & Sons Richardson family