Richard B. Wright
Encyclopedia
Richard B. Wright, CM
, (born March 4, 1937) is a Canadian
novelist.
Born in Midland
, Ontario
, to Laverne and Laura (née Thomas). Wright graduated from Midland high school in 1956, and attended and graduated from Ryerson Polytechnic Institute in the area of Radio and TV arts in 1959. He worked briefly within local newspapers and radio stations as a copywriter before becoming an assistent editor for Macmillan Canada in 1960.
, graduating in 1972 with a B.A. in English. In 1976, Wright obtained a position at Ridley College
, a private school, teaching English until his retirement. Although nominated for several literary awards, it wasn't until 2001 that Richard B. Wright gained recognition for his award-winning novel, Clara Callan, which led to the republication of many of his earlier works. This novel went on to win three of Canada's major literary awards: The Giller Prize, the Trillium Book Award
, and the Governor General's Award
. Wright's published works deal with the lives of ordinary people, with a profound balance of depth and sensitivity. Wright has been praised as an author who creates believable characters with a voice that must be heard. The Montreal Gazette is just one of many reviwers who have praised Wright’s work, stating that his most recent book, Mr.Shakespeare’s Bastard, is “A masterful novel … [which] confirms his ability to evoke an authentically female sensibility.” The novel has continued to gain recognition and was described by The Winnipeg Free Press as a novel that "Draws us swiftly through the pages..." Wright provides a narrative of pure life to his settings and character backgrounds that have continued to give him wide recognition as a Canadian novelist. His novels have been, and continue to be, published all around the world. In 2006, Wright received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Trent University, and in 2007 he became a member of the Order of Canada Order of Canada
.. He currently resides in St. Catherines, Ontario, where he writes full time and enjoys the recreational pastimes of walking, reading and music.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, (born March 4, 1937) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
novelist.
Born in Midland
Midland, Ontario
Midland is a town located on Georgian Bay in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada.Situated at the southern end of Georgian Bay's 30,000 Islands, Midland is the economic centre of the region, with a 125-bed hospital and a local airport. It is the main town of the southern Georgian Bay area...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, to Laverne and Laura (née Thomas). Wright graduated from Midland high school in 1956, and attended and graduated from Ryerson Polytechnic Institute in the area of Radio and TV arts in 1959. He worked briefly within local newspapers and radio stations as a copywriter before becoming an assistent editor for Macmillan Canada in 1960.
Biography
Wright married Phyllis Wright (née Cotton) in 1966 and they have two sons, Christopher Stephen and Richard Andrew. During Wright's time at Macmillan, he published his first book, a children's book entitled Andrew Tolliver (later retitled One John A. Too Many). Wright's first full-length novel, The Weekend Man, was written in eighteen months while staying at his wife's family cottage in Quebec. The novel became a critical success, winning praise for Wright's versatility and ability to create believable female characters. In 1970, Wright returned to postsecondary at Trent UniversityTrent University
Trent University is a liberal arts and science-oriented institution located along the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.The enabling legislation is the Trent University Act, 1962-63. The University was founded through the efforts of a citizens' committee interested in creating a...
, graduating in 1972 with a B.A. in English. In 1976, Wright obtained a position at Ridley College
Ridley College
Ridley College is a co-educational boarding and day university-preparatory school located in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, 20 miles from Niagara Falls...
, a private school, teaching English until his retirement. Although nominated for several literary awards, it wasn't until 2001 that Richard B. Wright gained recognition for his award-winning novel, Clara Callan, which led to the republication of many of his earlier works. This novel went on to win three of Canada's major literary awards: The Giller Prize, the Trillium Book Award
Trillium Book Award
The Trillium Award is given annually by the government of the Province of Ontario and is open to books in any genre: fiction, non-fiction, drama, children's books, and poetry. Anthologies, new editions, re-issues and translations are not eligible. Three jury members per language judge the...
, and the Governor General's Award
Governor General's Award
The Governor General's Awards are a collection of awards presented by the Governor General of Canada, marking distinction in a number of academic, artistic and social fields. The first was conceived in 1937 by Lord Tweedsmuir, a prolific author of fiction and non-fiction who created the Governor...
. Wright's published works deal with the lives of ordinary people, with a profound balance of depth and sensitivity. Wright has been praised as an author who creates believable characters with a voice that must be heard. The Montreal Gazette is just one of many reviwers who have praised Wright’s work, stating that his most recent book, Mr.Shakespeare’s Bastard, is “A masterful novel … [which] confirms his ability to evoke an authentically female sensibility.” The novel has continued to gain recognition and was described by The Winnipeg Free Press as a novel that "Draws us swiftly through the pages..." Wright provides a narrative of pure life to his settings and character backgrounds that have continued to give him wide recognition as a Canadian novelist. His novels have been, and continue to be, published all around the world. In 2006, Wright received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Trent University, and in 2007 he became a member of the Order of Canada Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
.. He currently resides in St. Catherines, Ontario, where he writes full time and enjoys the recreational pastimes of walking, reading and music.
Awards and Nominations
- Toronto Book Award 1973 (In The Middle Of Life)
- Faber Memorial Prize UK 1975 (In The Middle Of Life)
- Nom. Giller Prize 1995 (The Age Of Longing)
- Nom. Governor General's AwardGovernor General's AwardThe Governor General's Awards are a collection of awards presented by the Governor General of Canada, marking distinction in a number of academic, artistic and social fields. The first was conceived in 1937 by Lord Tweedsmuir, a prolific author of fiction and non-fiction who created the Governor...
1995 (The Age Of Longing) - Governor General's Award 2001 (Clara Callan)
- Giller Prize 2001 (Clara Callan)
- Trillium Book AwardTrillium Book AwardThe Trillium Award is given annually by the government of the Province of Ontario and is open to books in any genre: fiction, non-fiction, drama, children's books, and poetry. Anthologies, new editions, re-issues and translations are not eligible. Three jury members per language judge the...
2001 (Clara Callan) - Honorary Doctor of Letters 2006 (Trent University)
- Member of The Order Of Canada 2007
External links
- Richard B. Wright's entry in The Canadian Encyclopedia
- http://trentu.ca/admin/secretariat/honorary-present-to-1967.html