I have been a fan of Stephen Leacock since I was first introduced to him around the 10th grade. As I live near Orillia, I have since taken a trip to visit the national historic site and museum dedicated to Stephen Leacock. I read Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town many years ago, and kept it because I enjoyed it so much. This award is dedicated to this fine and prolific Canadian writer.
Stephen Butler Leacock was born in England in 1869 and settled on the shores of Lake Simcoe, Ontario, when he was a young child. He became a professor of Economics and Political Science at McGill University in Montreal in 1903.
In 1908, Leacock purchased land on Lake Couchiching, near Orillia, Ontario, and built a magnificent summer home. Today it has been transformed into a national historic site and museum.
From 1910 until his death in 1944, Leacock published a variety of books which still sell very well many years after his death. He is most notably famous for his Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town and a university textbook, Elements of Political Science. Among the many awards in his remarkable career, he was elected to the Royal Society of Canada in 1919 and won the Mark Twain Medal in 1935.
The Leacock Medal for Humour was awarded in his name beginning in 1947, after his death.
The medal is cast in silver and is designed by Emmanuel Hahn. There is a profile of Stephen Leacock's head engraved on it.
The award is worth $15 000 CD. It is awarded sometime in late April and the dinner takes place in May or June.
The Nominees for 2010 are:
by William Deverell
In this latest hilarious mystery, Arthur Beauchamp moves to Ottawa, and all hell breaks loose.
By Bill Conall
This is a collection of short stories about real people, written by one of the best story tellers I have ever read.
by Kathryn Borel Jr.
An account of a father-daughter road trip through the wine regions of France.
by William Ferguson
The past double medal winner is nominated again for this humorous take of the history and strife of Northern Ireland.
by Glen Chilton
Chilton's tale of his 'obssessive quest' to visit every remaining species of the Labrador Duck that exists in the world's museums.
Reference: http://www.leacock.ca/
I have not read any of these books, but do have Corked on my wish list.
ReplyDeleteI've not read these, either, but I intend to remedy that soon! Thanks for the heads-up!! Have a great weekend!!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this award or any of these books. I'm going to check them out!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from the Saturday Network.