John Weinzweig was born in Toronto on March 11, 1913. He has contributed to the introduction in Canada of 20th century techniques, notably serial writing, of which he was the first protagonist. In 1951 he was a founder of the Canadian League of Composers and became its first president. By 1941 he was composing incidental music for CBC radio dramas, as well as soundtracks for National Film Board documentaries. However, this activity was interrupted by service in the RCAF (1943-45). In 1948 his Divertimento No.1 for Flute and Strings won the highest award (silver medal) in the chamber music category at the London Olympiad. In 1974 he received the Order of Canada and in 1981 the Molson Prize of The Canada Council.