Alexander Bell Patterson was a prominent Canadian politician known for his long tenure as a member of Parliament and his brief leadership of the Social Credit Party of Canada. Born in 1911, Patterson dedicated much of his career to public service, representing the interests of his constituents and advocating for the principles of social credit economics. His political journey was marked by a commitment to addressing the economic challenges faced by Canadians during a transformative period in the nation’s history. Patterson's leadership of the Social Credit Party, although short-lived, was significant in the context of Canadian politics, as the party was known for its unique economic theories and policies aimed at promoting financial reform. Throughout his political career, he was involved in various legislative initiatives and debates, contributing to the discourse on economic justice and social welfare. His legacy is reflected in the ongoing discussions about the role of government in economic matters and the impact of social credit theories on Canadian political thought.
“Insiders say the pressure to succeed at Renaissance can be brutal. One mathematician at the fund may have succumbed to the pressure on March 1, 2006. That’s when Alexander Astashkevich, a thirty-seven-year-old MIT graduate who worked at Renaissance, shot and killed his estranged wife in the small town of Port Jefferson, Long Island, before turning the shotgun on himself. He left behind a six-year-old son named Arthur.””