Margaret Marshall Saunders
Encyclopedia
Margaret Marshall Saunders CBE
(May 13, 1861–February 15, 1947) was a Canadian author.
Saunders was born in the village of Milton
, Nova Scotia
, though she spent most of her childhood in Berwick, Nova Scotia
where her father was a Baptist
minister. Saunders is most famous for her novel Beautiful Joe
. It tells the true story of dog that has had a difficult puppyhood with many obstacles including a cruel owner. It is told from the dog's point of view. When the book was published in 1893
, both the book and its subject received worldwide attention. It was the first Canadian book to sell over a million copies, and by the late 1930s had sold over seven million copies worldwide.
In 1934, Saunders was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire
(CBE). Together with fellow Canadian author, Lucy Maud Montgomery
, Saunders co-founded the Maritime branch of the Canadian Women's Press Club.
Following the success of Beautiful Joe, Saunders wrote more than twenty other stories, a number of which provided social commentary
on such things as the abolition of child labor
, slum clearance, and the improvement of playground
facilities.
Saunders died in 1947 in Toronto, Ontario where she had lived for a number of years. She is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.
In 1994, the Beautiful Joe Heritage Society was formed in 1994 to celebrate the life and story of Beautiful Joe and the achievements of Margaret Marshall Saunders. A park dedicated to Beautiful Joe Park has been established in Meaford, Ontario
, Canada
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(May 13, 1861–February 15, 1947) was a Canadian author.
Saunders was born in the village of Milton
Milton, Nova Scotia
Milton, Nova Scotia is a village located immediately north of Liverpool, Nova Scotia in the Region of Queens Nova Scotia. The village is most well known for being the birth place of the international best selling author Margaret Marshall Saunders. Her most famous book was Beautiful Joe...
, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, though she spent most of her childhood in Berwick, Nova Scotia
Berwick, Nova Scotia
Berwick is a Canadian town in Kings County, Nova Scotia. The town is located in the eastern part of the Annapolis Valley on the Cornwallis River. The town site stretches south from the river and Exit 15 of Highway 101 to Highway 1...
where her father was a Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
minister. Saunders is most famous for her novel Beautiful Joe
Beautiful Joe
Beautiful Joe was a dog from the town of Meaford, Ontario, whose story inspired the bestselling 1893 novel Beautiful Joe, which contributed to worldwide awareness of animal cruelty.-The real Beautiful Joe:...
. It tells the true story of dog that has had a difficult puppyhood with many obstacles including a cruel owner. It is told from the dog's point of view. When the book was published in 1893
1893 in literature
The year 1893 in literature involved some significant new books.-Events:*André Gide begins his travels in North Africa.*Jerome K. Jerome founds the magazine To-Day.-New books:*Byron A...
, both the book and its subject received worldwide attention. It was the first Canadian book to sell over a million copies, and by the late 1930s had sold over seven million copies worldwide.
In 1934, Saunders was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(CBE). Together with fellow Canadian author, Lucy Maud Montgomery
Lucy Maud Montgomery
Lucy Maud Montgomery OBE , called "Maud" by family and friends and publicly known as L.M. Montgomery, was a Canadian author best known for a series of novels beginning with Anne of Green Gables, published in 1908. Anne of Green Gables was an immediate success...
, Saunders co-founded the Maritime branch of the Canadian Women's Press Club.
Following the success of Beautiful Joe, Saunders wrote more than twenty other stories, a number of which provided social commentary
Social commentary
Social commentary is the act of rebelling against an individual, or a group of people by rhetorical means, or commentary on social issues or society...
on such things as the abolition of child labor
Child labor
Child labour refers to the employment of children at regular and sustained labour. This practice is considered exploitative by many international organizations and is illegal in many countries...
, slum clearance, and the improvement of playground
Playground
A playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
facilities.
Saunders died in 1947 in Toronto, Ontario where she had lived for a number of years. She is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.
In 1994, the Beautiful Joe Heritage Society was formed in 1994 to celebrate the life and story of Beautiful Joe and the achievements of Margaret Marshall Saunders. A park dedicated to Beautiful Joe Park has been established in Meaford, Ontario
Meaford, Ontario
Meaford is a Canadian municipality in Grey County, Ontario. Meaford is located on Nottawasaga Bay, a sub-basin of Georgian Bay, in southern Ontario....
, Canada