The Honourable John Stewart McDiarmid was born in Perthshire, Scotland, 25 December 1882 and grew up on his parent’s farm near Portage la Prairie. As a young man he got into the lumber business and established the McDiarmid Lumber Company. Early on, he also began a long career in public service, first as an alderman for the City of Winnipeg 1925, than as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South from 1926-30.

From 1932-1953 he was a member of the Manitoba Legislature. During the years from 1932 to 1953, he served as Minister of Mines and Natural Resources. In his capacity as Minister, he promoted new initiatives in mining and conservation and led the promotion of tourism and recreation within Manitoba. On August 1,1953, he was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba. He served the province in this capacity until January 16,1960.

The Honourable John Stewart McDiarmid Student Research Endowment was established by Gordon Brian McDiarmid to honor the memory of the Honourable John Stewart McDiarmid and to support student archival research related to rural development, environmental concerns, natural resources and public policy.