Fonds AFC18 - James Reaney fonds

James Crerar Reaney was born in South Easthope, Ontario on September 1, 1926. After completing his primary and secondary education in South Easthope and Stratford, Reaney studied English language and literature at University College, University of Toronto, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1948 and a Master of Arts degree in the following year.
From 1949 to 1956, Reaney held the position of Lecturer at the University of Manitoba. Reaney returned to the University of Toronto in 1956 and received his Ph.D. in 1957. He resumed his teaching position at the University of Manitoba, remaining there until he joined the Department of English at Middlesex College at the University of Western Ontario in 1960.
In addition to his career as an educator, Reaney has established himself as one of Canada’s foremost authors of poetry, drama and prose. He has published several volumes of poetry, two of which have received the Governor-General’s Award for Poetry. His theatrical activity includes numerous plays, including his epic trilogy The Donnellys; plays and puppet
plays for children; libretti; participation in drama workshops and summer theatre; and coorganizing a theatrical company dedicated to the production of Canadian plays. In addition, he has written several short stories and essays, published a novel for children, and founded and edited the arts magazine Alphabet. James Reaney has received honourary degrees from Carleton University, McMaster University, and The University of Western Ontario. He was invested as on Officer of the Order of Canada in 1976, and named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1978. In 1951, Reaney married poet and short story writer Colleen Thibaudeau. The Reaneys have three children: James Stewart, John Andrew and Susan Alice Elizabeth.