Florence Randal Livesay
Florence Randal Livesay was a Canadian educator and writer born in the 1870s, who grew up in Compton, Quebec. She received her education at Compton Ladies' College and began her teaching career at the Sequin School in New York. In the 1890s, she worked at Buckingham Public School and started publishing her writings in various magazines, including Massey's Magazine and Canadian Magazine. Notably, in 1897, she became the society editor for the Ottawa Evening Journal. Livesay's teaching journey took her to South Africa in 1902, where she was part of a group educating children in concentration camps, an experience that greatly influenced her writing. After relocating to Winnipeg, she continued her literary pursuits, editing the Telegram and writing for the Winnipeg Free Press. Livesay published her first book, a translation of Ukrainian poems, in 1916, followed by her first work of fiction in 1923, and she is known for her contributions to both fiction and translated literature throughout her career.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Florence Randal Livesay
Author
- Born: November 3, 1874
- Birthplace: Compton, Quebec, Canada
- Died: July 28, 1953
Biography
Florence Randal Livesay was born in Canada in the 1870’s. She was the daughter of a real estate agent. Livesay grew up in the town of Compton in Quebec, Canada. She attended Compton Ladies’ College (now King’s Hall), after which she began teaching at the Sequin School in New York. In the 1890’s, Livesay took a position at Buckingham Public School, during which time she began publishing her writings in Massey’s Magazine and Canadian Magazine. In 1897, Livesay became the society editor of the Ottawa Evening Journal.
Livesay’s teaching career continued as well, and in 1902, she was selected to join a group of Canadian teachers who were traveling to South Africa to teach children in the concentration camps there. Livesay wrote extensively about her experiences in South Africa, and her stories appeared in Saturday Night, Canadian Good Housekeeping, and the Toronto Globe. After her trip to South Africa, Livesay settled in Winnipeg, where she worked as a secretary, edited the Telegram, and wrote a column for the Winnipeg Free Press. In 1908, Livesay married reporter John Frederick Bligh Livesay, with whom she had four children.
Livesay’s first book, in 1916, was a translation of Ukrainian poems called Songs of Ukraine, with Ruthenian Poems. Her first work of fiction, Shepherd’s Purse, was published in 1923. In total, Livesay published two works of fiction, several volumes of translated Ukrainian poems and songs, and a collection of her husband’s work titled The Making of a Canadian.