Margaret Laurence

Margaret Laurence, (July 18, 1926–January 5, 1987) was a Canadian novelist.

Related Topics:
July 18 - 1926 - January 5 - 1987 - Canadian - Novel

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Born Jean Margaret Wemyss in Neepawa, Manitoba, Laurence was the daughter of solicitor Robert Wemyss and Verna Jean Simpson. Verna died when Laurence was four and Margaret Simpson, maternal aunt, came to take care of the family. A year later, Simpson married Robert Wemyss and, in 1933, gave birth to son Robert. In 1935, Robert Wemyss Sr. died of pneumonia.

Related Topics:
Neepawa - Manitoba - 1933 - 1935

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In 1944, Laurence attended Winnipeg's United College on scholarship, pursuing an honours English degree. She wrote for the student newspaper and became involved with the "Old Left" socialist reform group. She graduated in 1947, working a reporter for the Winnipeg Citizen, where she wrote book reviews, a daily radio column and covered labour issues.

Related Topics:
1944 - Winnipeg - English - 1947 - Winnipeg Citizen

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Following her graduation from United College, she married John Fergus Laurence, an engineer. His job took them to England (1949), the then-British protectorate of Somaliland (1950–1952) and Ghana (1952–1957), and Laurence's great admiration for Africa and the African peoples can be seen in her writing.

Related Topics:
England - 1949 - Somaliland - 1950 - 1952 - Ghana - 1957

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In 1952, Laurence gave birth to daughter Jocelyn during a leave in England. Son David was born in 1955 in Gold Coast. The family left the Gold Coast just before it gained independence as Ghana in 1957, moving to Vancouver, British Columbia, where they stayed for five years.

Related Topics:
1952 - Vancouver - British Columbia

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In 1962, she separated from her husband and moved to London, England for a year. She then moved to Elm Cottage, staying there for more than 10 years, although she visited Canada often. Her divorce became final in 1969. That year, she became writer in residence at the University of Toronto. A few years later, she moved to Lakefield, Ontario. She also bought a cabin on the Otonabee River near Peterborough, where she wrote The Diviners during the summers of 1971 to 1973.

Related Topics:
1962 - London - 1969 - University of Toronto - Lakefield - Ontario - Peterborough - 1971 - 1973

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Laurence, who suffered from lung cancer, committed suicide at her home in Lakefield to spare herself and her family further suffering.

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