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→‎Life and career: This edit: 1) Rewords the section on various awards won, making it more coherent and remedying some wording issues; 2) Adds reasoning for the Legion of Honor award conferral, i.e. Napoleon research work; 3) Re-formats the existing inline citations in keeping with Wikipedia coding conventions; 4) Archives all of the references; 5) Combines the fitness business facts together and generalises the introduction; 6) Expands the books section and adds inline citations.
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'''Benjamin "Ben" Weider''', {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|OC|CQ|CD}} (February 1, 1923 – October 17, 2008) was the co-founder of the [[International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness]] (IFBB) along with brother [[Joe Weider]]. He was a Canadian businessman from [[Montreal]], well known in two areas: [[Bodybuilding]] and [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleonic]] history.
'''Benjamin "Ben" Weider''', {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|OC|CQ|CD}} (1 February 1923 – 17 October 2008) was a soldier, author, historian ([[Napoleon I of France|Napoleonic]] history), fitness proponent, benefactor of the arts, and entrepreneur.<ref name="Armchair">{{cite web|title=In Memory of Ben Weider, 1923-2008|author=Jerry D. Morelock|date=20 October 2008|website=Armchair General|url=http://armchairgeneral.com/in-memory-of-ben-weider-1923-2008.htm|url-status=live|access-date=21 Jul 2021|archive-url=https://archive.org/details/2021-07-22a-armchair-general|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref>


==Life and career==
==Family==
[[File:Ben Weider, Canadian Military, 1942.jpg|thumb|Ben Weider during his service in the [[6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars]], 1942.]]
[[File:Ben Weider, Canadian Military, 1942.jpg|thumb|Ben Weider during his service in the [[6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars]], 1942.<ref name="Armchair"/>]]


Benjamin Weider was born February 1, 1923 in Montréal, Québec, Canada, to Louis and Anna Weider, [[Polish Jewish]] emigrants from the town of [[Kurów]] in [[Poland]].<ref name="CTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal-body-building-guru-ben-weider-dies-1.334942|title=Montreal body building guru Ben Weider dies|date=October 18, 2008|publisher=}}</ref><ref name="NYT"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2008/dec/02/obituary-ben-weider-bodybuilder-napoleon|title=Obituary: Ben Weider|first=Michael|last=Carlson|date=December 2, 2008|website=the Guardian}}</ref> He served in the [[Canadian Army]] during [[World War II]].
Benjamin Weider was born 1 February 1923 in the old jewish immigrant quarter ("the Main") of [[Montréal]] ([[Quebec]], [[Canada]]), the third son of Louis and Anna Weider, [[Polish Jewish]] emigrants from the town of [[Kurów]] ([[Poland]]).<ref name="CTV">{{cite web|title=Montreal body building guru Ben Weider dies|author=[[CTV News]] Staff|date=18 October 2008|website=[[CTV News]]|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal-body-building-guru-ben-weider-dies-1.334942|access-date=21 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721072334/https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal-body-building-guru-ben-weider-dies-1.334942|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="NYT">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/sports/othersports/21weider.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=ben+weider&st=cse&oref=slogin|title=Ben Weider, 85, a Bodybuilding Pioneer|first=William|last=Grimes|date=20 October 2008|newspaper=New York Times|access-date=21 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721071241/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/sports/othersports/21weider.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=ben+weider&st=cse&oref=slogin|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="Guardian">{{cite web|title=Ben Weider|first=Michael|last=Carlson|date=2 December 2008|website=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2008/dec/02/obituary-ben-weider-bodybuilder-napoleon|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721081219/https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2008/dec/02/obituary-ben-weider-bodybuilder-napoleon|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref> Ben left school at 13 to work in restaurants and factories.<ref name="Guardian"/>


==Military Service==
He founded and ran a physical fitness and sporting goods company bearing his name. He was [[International Federation of BodyBuilders|IFBB]] president until October 29, 2006, when he announced his retirement.


In 1942, he enlisted in the Canadian Army, serving in the 6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars, in which he did intelligence work.<ref name="NYT"/> Ben Weider served in the [[Canadian Army]] during [[World War II]].
In Napoleonic circles, Weider was known as an advocate of the theory that [[Napoleon]] was assassinated by a member of his entourage during his exile in [[Saint Helena]]. He co-authored several books, ''Assassination at St. Helena'' and ''Assassination at St. Helena Revisited'', with [[Sten Forshufvud]] and ''The Murder Of Napoleon'', with David Hapgood. Weider also founded the International Napoleonic Society, of which he was the president, and wrote numerous articles for this organization.<ref>[http://ameliefr.club.fr/E-Napoleon-Jews.html "Napoleon and the Jews" by Ben Weider] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907081500/http://ameliefr.club.fr/E-Napoleon-Jews.html |date=September 7, 2007 }}</ref>


==Fitness Buisness==
In 1975 he was made a Member of the [[Order of Canada]] and was promoted to Officer in 2006.<ref>[http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4984 Governor General Announces New Appointments to the Order of Canada] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223100558/http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4984 |date=February 23, 2007 }}</ref> In 2000, he was made a Knight of the [[National Order of Quebec]]. On October 12, 2000, Weider received the [[Légion d'honneur|French Legion of Honor]].<ref>[http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=419e8383-d075-4d42-a460-6d2c2bc8536a Bodybuilder created an empire – The son of poor Polish immigrants went on to lift his discipline to international prominence and become a renowned philanthropist, author and Napoleonic scholar – Montreal Gazette – October 19, 2008] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022010442/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=419e8383-d075-4d42-a460-6d2c2bc8536a |date=October 22, 2008 }}</ref> a member of the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame, and a Commander of the [[Venerable Order of St. John]].The Institute on Napoleon and the French Revolution at the [[Florida State University]] History Department has recently created the Ben Weider Chair in Revolutionary Studies.<ref>[http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=72a314e8-d51c-4c65-9753-c92f2159bab5 1,000 mourners honour Weider – Napoleon exhibit featuring his collection will go on: 'It was very important to him' – Montreal Gazette – October 21, 2008] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025063510/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=72a314e8-d51c-4c65-9753-c92f2159bab5 |date=October 25, 2008 }}</ref>


Weider and his brother, started a mimeographed magazine (''Your Fitness'') to promote weightlifting and sell exercise equipment, which expanded into other titles including ''[[Flex]]'', ''[[Muscle & Fitness]]'', ''[[Men's Fitness]]'', and ''[[Fit Pregnancy]]''. The magazines were sold in 2003 to American Media.<ref name="Guardian"/>
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From 1998 to 2005, Weider was [[Title of honor|Honorary]] [[Lieutenant Colonel]] of the [[62nd (Shawinigan) Field Artillery Regiment]], RCA. In 2005, he was promoted to Honorary [[Colonel]] of that [[military unit]]. In October 2006, he retired as president of the IFBB.


The brothers are attributed with creating [[bodybuilding]] as a sport, where the focus was on the form and fitness of the body shaped by the exercise. In 1965 the brothers formed the first [[Mr Olympia]] contest at the [[Brooklyn Academy of Music]] ([[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[United States]]), an alternative to the [[Mr Universe]] competition.<ref name="Guardian"/>
In 2008, he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 20th Anniversary [[Arnold Classic]].<ref>[http://www.ifbbpro.com/news/ben-weider-and-jim-lorimer/ "Ben Weider and Jim Lorimer". Wilkins, Rob (April 30, 2008).] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705104633/http://www.ifbbpro.com/news/ben-weider-and-jim-lorimer/ |date=July 5, 2008 }}</ref>


He co-founded the [[International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness]] (IFBB) along with brother [[Joe Weider]], and was its president until he announced his retirement in 29 October 2006. He also co-founded (1936) and ran a physical fitness and sporting goods business from [[Montreal]] with his brother, which bears their family name.<ref>{{cite web|title=About|website=Weider.com|url=https://www.weider.com/|access-date=21 July 2021}}</ref>
Weider owned an extensive collection of Napoleon memorabilia. He donated this collection to the [[Montreal Museum of Fine Arts]], making it one of the largest collections of its kind in the world.<ref>[http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=797c5e93-a635-4d84-aabc-ab249e315000 BONAPARTED – CanWest News Service – Montreal, QC – September 23, 2008] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924162010/http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=797c5e93-a635-4d84-aabc-ab249e315000 |date=September 24, 2008 }}</ref>


Ben Weider opened a number of gyms around the world, including Lebanon<ref>{{cite journal|title=New Ben Weider Gym Opens in Lebanon|first1=Rob|last1=Wilkins|first2=Dean|last2=Brierly|date=2005|volume=23|issue=1|journal=[[Flex]]|issn=8750-8915|page=258|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2008/dec/02/obituary-ben-weider-bodybuilder-napoleon|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721081219/https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2008/dec/02/obituary-ben-weider-bodybuilder-napoleon|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref>
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===Death===

Weider died on October 17, 2008, at the [[Jewish General Hospital]] in Montreal.<ref name="CTV"/><ref name="NYT">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/sports/othersports/21weider.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=ben+weider&st=cse&oref=slogin|title=Ben Weider, 85, a Bodybuilding Pioneer|first=William|last=Grimes|publisher=}}</ref>
==Historical Research==

Weider was known as an advocate of the theory that [[Napoleon]] was assassinated with arsenic poisoningby a member of his entourage during his exile in [[Saint Helena]]. Weider had even obtained authenticated Napoleon hair samples and arranged for forensic tests that showed that Napoleon had been poisoned with arsenic.<ref name="2008 Montreal Gazette">{{cite web|title=Ben Weider|date=19 October 2008|website=[[Montreal Gazette]]|url=https://montrealgazette.remembering.ca/obituary/ben-weider-1066555271|access-date=21 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723092634/https://montrealgazette.remembering.ca/obituary/ben-weider-1066555271|archive-date=23 July 2021}}</ref> He co-authored several Napoleonic history books including, ''Assassination at St. Helena'', ''Assassination at St. Helena Revisited'' and ''The Murder Of Napoleon''. ''The Murder Of Napoleon'' became one of the best-selling history books of all time, now with editions in 45 languages.<ref name="2008 Montreal Gazette"/>

Weider also founded the International Napoleonic Society, of which he was the president, and wrote numerous articles for this organization.<ref>{{cite web|title=Napoleon and the Jews|first=Ben|last=Weider|website=Napoleon 1st|url=http://ameliefr.club.fr/E-Napoleon-Jews.html|access-date=21 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907081500/http://ameliefr.club.fr/E-Napoleon-Jews.html|archive-date=7 September 2007}}</ref>

Weider owned an extensive collection of Napoleon memorabilia. He donated this collection to the [[Montreal Museum of Fine Arts]], making it one of the largest collections of its kind in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bonaparted|first=Alan|last=Hustak|website=CanWest News Service|location=Montreal (Quebec)|date=23 September 2008|url=http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=797c5e93-a635-4d84-aabc-ab249e315000|access-date=21 July 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924162010/http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=797c5e93-a635-4d84-aabc-ab249e315000|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1,000 mourners honour Weider|date=21 October 2008|newspaper=[[Montreal Gazette]]|url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=72a314e8-d51c-4c65-9753-c92f2159bab5|via=[[Canada.com]]|access-date=21 July 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025063510/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=72a314e8-d51c-4c65-9753-c92f2159bab5|archive-date=25 October 2008}}</ref>

In 2006, the [[Weider History Group]], a wholly owner subsidiary of Weilder Health and Fitness Inc, acquired Civil War Times in an aquisition of eleven history-related magazines from another managzine chain, along with [[America's Civil War]], [[Armchair General (magazine)|Armchair General]], [[Civil War Times]], [[Vietnam Magazine|Vietnam]] etc. These acquaitions caused controveries over a change in electorial direction, including the resignation of the [[Civil War Times]]'s editor (Chris Lewis), and general criticisms of anti-palestine bias.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Empire Behind World’s Largest History Magazine Chain: How American History Magazine Censored Palestine|first=Alison|last=Weir|date=6 December 2012|newspaper=If America Knew|url=https://ifamericansknew.org/media/weider.html|access-date=23 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723110755/https://ifamericansknew.org/media/weider.html|archive-date=23 July 2021}}</ref>

==Religion==

Weider was a Jewish Anglophone. He financially assisted the rebuilding of Montreal's [[Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral]]. The Roman Catholic Cardinal [[Jean-Claude Turcotte]] called him "one of the greatest Montrealers I ever knew".<ref name="Guardian"/>

==Awards==

Weider was made a Member of the [[Order of Canada]] in 1975 (subsequently promoted to Officer in 2006)<ref>{{cite web|title=Governor General Announces New Appointments to the Order of Canada|newspaper=[[Montreal Gazette]]|date=21 October 2008|url=http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4984|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223100558/http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4984|access-date=21 July 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025063510/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=72a314e8-d51c-4c65-9753-c92f2159bab5|archive-date=25 October 2008}}</ref>, a Knight of the [[National Order of Quebec]] in 2000, a Knight<ref name="Armchair"/> of the [[Légion d'honneur|French Legion of Honor]] in 12 October 2000<ref>{{cite web|title=Bodybuilder Created an Empire|date=19 October 2008|newspaper=[[Montreal Gazette]]|via=[[Canada.com]]|url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=419e8383-d075-4d42-a460-6d2c2bc8536a|url-status=dead|access-date=21 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022010442/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=419e8383-d075-4d42-a460-6d2c2bc8536a|archive-date=22 October 2008}}</ref> (for his research work into Napoleon's death<ref name="Guardian"/>), a member of the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame, and a Commander of the [[Venerable Order of St. John]] (for his charitable work promoting youth fitness and health worldwide)<ref name="2008 Montreal Gazette"/>. In 1984, Ben Weider was also nominated for a Nobel Peace prize. The ''Revolutionary and Napoleonic Studies'' program of [[Florida State University]]'s History Department created the ''Ben Weider Eminent Scholar Chair in Napoleonic History'' and the ''Ben Weider Chair of French Revolutionary History'', supported by Weider's bequests<ref>{{cite web|title=About the Institution|website=Institution of Napoleon and the French Revolution|publisher=History Department of Floride State University|url=https://infr.history.fsu.edu/about-institute|access-date=21 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721121727/https://infr.history.fsu.edu/about-institute|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref>.

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From 1998 to 2005, Weider was [[Title of honor|Honorary]] [[Lieutenant Colonel]] of the [[62nd (Shawinigan) Field Artillery Regiment]], RCA. In 2005, he was promoted to Honorary [[Colonel]] of that [[military unit]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Ben Weider Story|website=Ben Weider.com|url=https://www.benweider.com/home35583415|access-date=21 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722025322/https://www.benweider.com/home35583415|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref>.

In 2008, he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 20th Anniversary [[Arnold Classic]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ben Weider|website=[[International Sports Hall of Fame]]|url=https://sportshof.org/bio-ben-weider-2014/|access-date=22 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722034856/https://sportshof.org/bio-ben-weider-2014/|archive-date=July 5, 2008}}</ref>.

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==Death==
Weider died on October 17, 2008, at the [[Jewish General Hospital]] in Montreal.<ref name="CTV"/><ref name="NYT"/>


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
A movie called [[Bigger (film)|''Bigger'']] was released in 2018 on the life of Ben Weider and his brother Joe Weider.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3226786/|title=Bigger|publisher=|via=www.imdb.com}}</ref>
A movie called [[Bigger (film)|''Bigger'']] was released in 2018 on the life of Ben Weider and his brother Joe Weider.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bigger|website=[[IMDB]]|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3226786/|access-date=21 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722025406/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3226786/|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref>.


==Published works==
==Published works==
===Books===
*Franceschi, General Michel and Ben Weider. 2007. ''Wars Against Napoleon: Debunking the Myth of the Napoleonic Wars.'' Savas Beatie.

*Weider. Ben (Author), Joe Weider (Author), Daniel Gastelu (Author). 2002. ''The Edge.'' [[Avery Publishing]].
* Franceschi M. and Weider B., ''Wars Against Napoleon: Debunking the Myth of the Napoleonic Wars'' (2007).<ref>{{cite book|title=ebunking the Myth of the Napoleonic Wars|first1=Michel|last1=Franceshi|first2=Ben|last2=Weider|date=1 January 2008|publisher=Savas Beatie|isbn=978-1-932-71437-1|id=Amazon-ASIN=[https://www.amazon.com.au/Wars-Against-Napoleon-Debunking-Napoleonic/dp/1932714375 1932714375]|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10624934/|access-date=22 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722134027/https://www.amazon.com.au/Wars-Against-Napoleon-Debunking-Napoleonic/dp/1932714375|archive-date=22 July 2021}}</ref>
*Weider, Ben. 2000. ''Louis Cyr: Amazing Canadian.'' Ironmind Enterprises.

*Weider, Ben and Sten Forshufvud. 1995. ''Assassination at St. Helena Revisited.'' Wiley.
* Weider B., ''Napoleon: The Man that Shaped Europe'' (2003).<ref>{{cite book|title=Napoleon: The Man that Shaped Europe|first=Ben|last=Weider|date=22 September 2003|publisher=Spellmount Publishers|isbn=978-1-862-27223-1|id=Amazon-ASIN=[https://www.amazon.com.au/Napoleon-BEN-WEIDER/dp/1862272239 1862272239]|url=https://www.amazon.com.au/Napoleon-BEN-WEIDER/dp/1862272239|access-date=23 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.org/details/napoleon-the-man-that-shapes-eruope|archive-date=23 July 2021}}</ref>
*Weider, Ben and Robert Kennedy. 1986. ''Superpump!: Hardcore Women's Bodybuilding.'' Sterling Pub Co Inc.

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*Weider. Ben and David Hapgood. 1982. ''The Murder of Napoleon.'' New York: Congdon & Lattes : Distributed by St. Martin's Press.
* Weider B., Weider J., and Gastelu D., ''The Edge'' (2002).<ref>{{cite book|title=Edge|first1=Ben|last1=Weider|first2=Joe|last2=Weider|first3=Daniel|last3=Gastelu|date=1 September 2002|publisher=Avery Publishing Group Inc.|isbn=978-1-583-33126-2|id=Amazon-ASIN=[https://www.amazon.com.au/Edge-Ben-Weider/dp/1583331263 1583331263]|url=https://www.amazon.com.au/Edge-Ben-Weider/dp/1583331263|access-date=22 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722133519/https://www.amazon.com.au/Edge-Ben-Weider/dp/1583331263|archive-date=22 July 2021}}</ref>
*Weider, Ben and Sten Forshufvud. 1978. ''Assassination At St. Helena: The Poisoning of Napoleon Bonaparte.'' Mitchell Press.

* Weider B., ''Louis Cyr: Amazing Canadian'' (2000).<ref>{{cite book|title=Louis Cyr: Amazing Canadian|first=Ben|last=Weider|date=1 December 2000|publisher=Ironmind Enterprises|isbn=978-0-471-12677-5|id=Amazon-ASIN=[https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0926888099 0926888099]|url=https://www.amazon.com.au/Louis-Cyr-Canadian-Ben-Weider/dp/0926888099/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Louis+Cyr%3A+Amazing+Canadian.&qid=1626954891&sr=8-1|access-date=22 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722124255/https://www.amazon.com.au/Louis-Cyr-Canadian-Ben-Weider/dp/0926888099/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Louis+Cyr%3A+Amazing+Canadian.&qid=1626954891&sr=8-1|archive-date=22 July 2021}}</ref>

* Weider B, ''The Murder of Napoleon'' (1998). <ref>{{cite book|title=The Murder of Napoleon|first=Ben|last=Weider|date=1 December 1998|publisher=[[iUniverse]]|isbn=978-1-583-48150-9|id=Amazon-ASIN=[https://www.amazon.com.au/Murder-Napoleon-Ben-Weider/dp/1583481508 1583481508]|url=https://www.amazon.com.au/Murder-Napoleon-Ben-Weider/dp/1583481508|access-date=22 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722141742/https://www.amazon.com.au/Murder-Napoleon-Ben-Weider/dp/1583481508|archive-date=22 July 2021}}</ref>

* Weider, B. and [[Sten Forshufvud|Forshufvud S.]], ''Assassination at St. Helena Revisited'' (1995).<ref>{{cite book|title=Assassination at St. Helena Revisited|first1=Ben|last1=Weider|first2=Sten|last2=Forshufvud|date=25 October 1995|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]isbn=978-0-471-12677-5|id=Amazon-ASIN=[https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0471126772 0471126772]|url=https://www.amazon.com.au/Assassination-at-St-Helena-Revisited/dp/0471126772/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Assassination+at+St.+Helena&qid=1626938624&sr=8-1|access-date=21 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722121917/https://www.amazon.com.au/Assassination-at-St-Helena-Revisited/dp/0471126772/|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021}}</ref>

* Weider B., and Kennedy R. ''Superpump!: Hardcore Women's Bodybuilding'' (1986).<ref>{{cite book|title=Edge|first1=Ben|last1=Weider|first2=Robert|last2=Kennedy|date=1 September 2002|publisher=Sterling Pubishing Co Inc.|isbn=978-1-583-33126-2|id=Amazon-ASIN=[https://www.amazon.com.au/Superpump-Hardcore-Bodybuilding-Ben-Weider/dp/0806948000 0806948000]|url=https://www.amazon.com.au/Superpump-Hardcore-Bodybuilding-Ben-Weider/dp/0806948000|access-date=22 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722140110/https://www.amazon.com.au/Superpump-Hardcore-Bodybuilding-Ben-Weider/dp/0806948000|archive-date=22 July 2021}}</ref>

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* Weider B. and Hapgood D. ''The Murder of Napoleon'' (1982).<ref>{{cite book|title=The Murder of Napoleon|first1=Ben|last1=Weider|first2=David|last2=Hapgood|date=1982|publisher=New York: Congdon & Lattes : Distributed by St. Martin's Press}}</ref>

* Weider B., and Forshufvud S., ''Assassination At St. Helena: The Poisoning of Napoleon Bonaparte'' (1978).<ref>{{cite book|title=The Murder of Napoleon|first1=Ben|last1=Weider|first2=Sten|last2=Forshufvud|date=1 June 1978|publisher=I B D Ltd|isbn=978-1-583-48150-9|id=Amazon-ASIN=[https://www.amazon.com.au/Assassination-St-Helena-Poisoning-Bonaparte/dp/9997015045 1583481508]|url=https://www.amazon.com.au/Assassination-St-Helena-Poisoning-Bonaparte/dp/9997015045|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722142850/https://www.amazon.com.au/Assassination-St-Helena-Poisoning-Bonaparte/dp/9997015045|archive-date=22 July 2021}}</ref>

===Jounral Articles===
* Weider B., and Fournier J.H., ''Activation analyses of authenticated hairs of Napoleon Bonaparte confirm arsenic poisoning'' (1999).<ref>{{cite journal|title=Activation analyses of authenticated hairs of Napoleon Bonaparte confirm arsenic poisoning|first1=Ben|last1=Weider|first2=John Harry|last2=Fournier|date=December 1999|volume=20|series=4|pages=378-382|journal=American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology|issn=0195-7910|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10624934/|access-date=23 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723073524/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10624934/|archive-date=22 July 2021}}</ref>
* Weider B., and Fournier J., ''The Death of Napoleon'' (1999).<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Death of Napoleon|first1=Ben|last1=Weider|first2=John Harry|last2=Fournier|date=September 2000|volume=21|series=3|pages=303-305|journal=American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology|issn=0195-7910|url=https://journals.lww.com/amjforensicmedicine/Abstract/1999/12000/Activation_Analyses_of_Authenticated_Hairs_of.13.aspx|access-date=23 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723053630/https://journals.lww.com/amjforensicmedicine/Abstract/1999/12000/Activation_Analyses_of_Authenticated_Hairs_of.13.aspx|archive-date=22 July 2021}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 01:10, 30 July 2021

Ben Weider
Born(1923-02-01)February 1, 1923
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DiedOctober 17, 2008(2008-10-17) (aged 85)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Other namesThe President
OccupationPresident of the IFBB
Known forCo-creating the IFBB
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
RelativesJoe Weider
(brother, deceased)
Eric Weider (son)
Websitewww.weider.com

Benjamin "Ben" Weider, OC CQ CD (1 February 1923 – 17 October 2008) was a soldier, author, historian (Napoleonic history), fitness proponent, benefactor of the arts, and entrepreneur.[1]

Family

Ben Weider during his service in the 6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars, 1942.[1]

Benjamin Weider was born 1 February 1923 in the old jewish immigrant quarter ("the Main") of Montréal (Quebec, Canada), the third son of Louis and Anna Weider, Polish Jewish emigrants from the town of Kurów (Poland).[2][3][4] Ben left school at 13 to work in restaurants and factories.[4]

Military Service

In 1942, he enlisted in the Canadian Army, serving in the 6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars, in which he did intelligence work.[3] Ben Weider served in the Canadian Army during World War II.

Fitness Buisness

Weider and his brother, started a mimeographed magazine (Your Fitness) to promote weightlifting and sell exercise equipment, which expanded into other titles including Flex, Muscle & Fitness, Men's Fitness, and Fit Pregnancy. The magazines were sold in 2003 to American Media.[4]

The brothers are attributed with creating bodybuilding as a sport, where the focus was on the form and fitness of the body shaped by the exercise. In 1965 the brothers formed the first Mr Olympia contest at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (New York City, New York, United States), an alternative to the Mr Universe competition.[4]

He co-founded the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB) along with brother Joe Weider, and was its president until he announced his retirement in 29 October 2006. He also co-founded (1936) and ran a physical fitness and sporting goods business from Montreal with his brother, which bears their family name.[5]

Ben Weider opened a number of gyms around the world, including Lebanon[6]

Historical Research

Weider was known as an advocate of the theory that Napoleon was assassinated with arsenic poisoningby a member of his entourage during his exile in Saint Helena. Weider had even obtained authenticated Napoleon hair samples and arranged for forensic tests that showed that Napoleon had been poisoned with arsenic.[7] He co-authored several Napoleonic history books including, Assassination at St. Helena, Assassination at St. Helena Revisited and The Murder Of Napoleon. The Murder Of Napoleon became one of the best-selling history books of all time, now with editions in 45 languages.[7]

Weider also founded the International Napoleonic Society, of which he was the president, and wrote numerous articles for this organization.[8]

Weider owned an extensive collection of Napoleon memorabilia. He donated this collection to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, making it one of the largest collections of its kind in the world.[9][10]

In 2006, the Weider History Group, a wholly owner subsidiary of Weilder Health and Fitness Inc, acquired Civil War Times in an aquisition of eleven history-related magazines from another managzine chain, along with America's Civil War, Armchair General, Civil War Times, Vietnam etc. These acquaitions caused controveries over a change in electorial direction, including the resignation of the Civil War Times's editor (Chris Lewis), and general criticisms of anti-palestine bias.[11]

Religion

Weider was a Jewish Anglophone. He financially assisted the rebuilding of Montreal's Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral. The Roman Catholic Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte called him "one of the greatest Montrealers I ever knew".[4]

Awards

Weider was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1975 (subsequently promoted to Officer in 2006)[12], a Knight of the National Order of Quebec in 2000, a Knight[1] of the French Legion of Honor in 12 October 2000[13] (for his research work into Napoleon's death[4]), a member of the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame, and a Commander of the Venerable Order of St. John (for his charitable work promoting youth fitness and health worldwide)[7]. In 1984, Ben Weider was also nominated for a Nobel Peace prize. The Revolutionary and Napoleonic Studies program of Florida State University's History Department created the Ben Weider Eminent Scholar Chair in Napoleonic History and the Ben Weider Chair of French Revolutionary History, supported by Weider's bequests[14].

From 1998 to 2005, Weider was Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the 62nd (Shawinigan) Field Artillery Regiment, RCA. In 2005, he was promoted to Honorary Colonel of that military unit.[15].

In 2008, he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 20th Anniversary Arnold Classic.[16].

Death

Weider died on October 17, 2008, at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal.[2][3]

A movie called Bigger was released in 2018 on the life of Ben Weider and his brother Joe Weider.[17].

Published works

Books

  • Franceschi M. and Weider B., Wars Against Napoleon: Debunking the Myth of the Napoleonic Wars (2007).[18]
  • Weider B., Napoleon: The Man that Shaped Europe (2003).[19]
  • Weider B., Weider J., and Gastelu D., The Edge (2002).[20]
  • Weider B., Louis Cyr: Amazing Canadian (2000).[21]
  • Weider B, The Murder of Napoleon (1998). [22]
  • Weider B., and Kennedy R. Superpump!: Hardcore Women's Bodybuilding (1986).[24]
  • Weider B. and Hapgood D. The Murder of Napoleon (1982).[25]
  • Weider B., and Forshufvud S., Assassination At St. Helena: The Poisoning of Napoleon Bonaparte (1978).[26]

Jounral Articles

  • Weider B., and Fournier J.H., Activation analyses of authenticated hairs of Napoleon Bonaparte confirm arsenic poisoning (1999).[27]
  • Weider B., and Fournier J., The Death of Napoleon (1999).[28]

References

  1. ^ a b c Jerry D. Morelock (October 20, 2008). "In Memory of Ben Weider, 1923-2008". Armchair General. Archived from the original on July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  2. ^ a b CTV News Staff (October 18, 2008). "Montreal body building guru Ben Weider dies". CTV News. Archived from the original on July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Grimes, William (October 20, 2008). "Ben Weider, 85, a Bodybuilding Pioneer". New York Times. Archived from the original on July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Carlson, Michael (December 2, 2008). "Ben Weider". The Guardian. Archived from the original on July 21, 2021.
  5. ^ "About". Weider.com. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  6. ^ Wilkins, Rob; Brierly, Dean (2005). "New Ben Weider Gym Opens in Lebanon". Flex. 23 (1): 258. ISSN 8750-8915. Archived from the original on July 21, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "Ben Weider". Montreal Gazette. October 19, 2008. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  8. ^ Weider, Ben. "Napoleon and the Jews". Napoleon 1st. Archived from the original on September 7, 2007. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  9. ^ Hustak, Alan (September 23, 2008). "Bonaparted". CanWest News Service. Montreal (Quebec). Archived from the original on July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; September 24, 2008 suggested (help)
  10. ^ "1,000 mourners honour Weider". Montreal Gazette. October 21, 2008. Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2021 – via Canada.com.
  11. ^ Weir, Alison (December 6, 2012). "The Empire Behind World's Largest History Magazine Chain: How American History Magazine Censored Palestine". If America Knew. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  12. ^ "Governor General Announces New Appointments to the Order of Canada". Montreal Gazette. October 21, 2008. Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  13. ^ "Bodybuilder Created an Empire". Montreal Gazette. October 19, 2008. Archived from the original on October 22, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2021 – via Canada.com.
  14. ^ "About the Institution". Institution of Napoleon and the French Revolution. History Department of Floride State University. Archived from the original on July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  15. ^ "The Ben Weider Story". Ben Weider.com. Archived from the original on July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; July 22, 2021 suggested (help)
  16. ^ "Ben Weider". International Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved July 22, 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; July 22, 2021 suggested (help)
  17. ^ "Bigger". IMDB. Archived from the original on July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; July 22, 2021 suggested (help)
  18. ^ Franceshi, Michel; Weider, Ben (January 1, 2008). ebunking the Myth of the Napoleonic Wars. Savas Beatie. ISBN 978-1-932-71437-1. Amazon-ASIN=1932714375. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  19. ^ Weider, Ben (September 22, 2003). Napoleon: The Man that Shaped Europe. Spellmount Publishers. ISBN 978-1-862-27223-1. Amazon-ASIN=1862272239. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  20. ^ Weider, Ben; Weider, Joe; Gastelu, Daniel (September 1, 2002). Edge. Avery Publishing Group Inc. ISBN 978-1-583-33126-2. Amazon-ASIN=1583331263. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  21. ^ Weider, Ben (December 1, 2000). Louis Cyr: Amazing Canadian. Ironmind Enterprises. ISBN 978-0-471-12677-5. Amazon-ASIN=0926888099. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  22. ^ Weider, Ben (December 1, 1998). The Murder of Napoleon. iUniverse. ISBN 978-1-583-48150-9. Amazon-ASIN=1583481508. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  23. ^ Weider, Ben; Forshufvud, Sten (October 25, 1995). Assassination at St. Helena Revisited. John Wiley & Sonsisbn=978-0-471-12677-5. Amazon-ASIN=0471126772. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  24. ^ Weider, Ben; Kennedy, Robert (September 1, 2002). Edge. Sterling Pubishing Co Inc. ISBN 978-1-583-33126-2. Amazon-ASIN=0806948000. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  25. ^ Weider, Ben; Hapgood, David (1982). The Murder of Napoleon. New York: Congdon & Lattes : Distributed by St. Martin's Press.
  26. ^ Weider, Ben; Forshufvud, Sten (June 1, 1978). The Murder of Napoleon. I B D Ltd. ISBN 978-1-583-48150-9. Amazon-ASIN=1583481508. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021.
  27. ^ Weider, Ben; Fournier, John Harry (December 1999). "Activation analyses of authenticated hairs of Napoleon Bonaparte confirm arsenic poisoning". American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. 4. 20: 378–382. ISSN 0195-7910. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021. {{cite journal}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; July 23, 2021 suggested (help)
  28. ^ Weider, Ben; Fournier, John Harry (September 2000). "The Death of Napoleon". American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. 3. 21: 303–305. ISSN 0195-7910. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021. {{cite journal}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; July 23, 2021 suggested (help)

Media related to Ben Weider at Wikimedia Commons

Military offices
Preceded by Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the 62nd (Shawinigan) Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
1998–2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Honorary Colonel of the 62nd (Shawinigan) Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
2005–2008 		Succeeded by
Vacant
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