C. E. Beeby

Who was C. E. Beeby?

Clarence Edward Beeby ONZ CMG, most commonly referred to as C.E. Beeby or simply Beeb, was a New Zealand educationalist and "described as the architect of our modern education system". Beeby's educational ethos is best summarised as "every person regardless of background or ability had a right to an education of a type for which they were best suited".

Beeby had an enormous influence of the development of the education system in New Zealand, first as a director of the New Zealand Council for Educational Research from 1936, and then as Director of Education from 1940, initially under the First Labour Government. He also served as ambassador to France and on the UNESCO executive. In the Queen's Birthday Honours 1956 Beeby was appointed a Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George and on 6 February 1987 was the second appointee to the Order of New Zealand. He received honorary doctorates from the University of Canterbury, University of Otago, and Victoria University of Wellington.

Beeby's son was the distinguished New Zealand diplomat and international lawyer, Chris Beeby, who was unfairly portrayed in Ben Affleck's film, Argo.