John Larkin Kerwin (June 22, 1924 — May 1, 2004) was a Canadian physicist.

Born in Québec City, he studied physics at Saint Francis Xavier University and obtained his Masters degree in physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His received his D.Sc. from Laval University. He was Chairman of the Department of Physics from 1961 to 1967.He was the lay Rector of Laval University, holding this position from 1972 to 1977.

From 1954 to 1955 he was the president of the Canadian Association of Physicists. From 1980 to 1985 he was President of the National Research Council of Canada and was the first president of the Canadian Space Agency and coined the term Canadarm. In 1982 he received the Gold Medal from the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers. In 1987 he was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Public Service of Canada. In 1989 he was president of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

In 1978 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 1980. In 1988 he was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and was president from 1976 to 1977. He was made an Officer of the Légion d'honneur de France.

References

• "Remembering Former NRC President, Dr. Larkin Kerwin." National Research Council of Canada. Accessed on March 27, 2005.