Norman Duncan
Norman Duncan (1871-1916) was a Canadian author, journalist, and educator known for his vivid portrayals of life in Newfoundland and Labrador. His writing was deeply influenced by his fondness for the landscapes and communities of these regions, which he explored during various journeys. Duncan began his career in journalism after graduating from the University of Toronto in 1895, working for publications such as the Auburn Bulletin and The New York Evening Post. His role as a correspondent for McClure's magazine and later for Harper's magazine allowed him to travel extensively, including trips to the Middle and Far East. He also served as a professor of rhetoric at Washington and Jefferson College and an English professor at the University of Kansas. Duncan's notable works include the novel "Doctor Luke of the Labrador," which highlights the life of an outport trader, and "The Mother," reflecting his appreciation for family, a theme that resonated throughout his writings despite his personal choice to remain unmarried. His contributions to literature and journalism continue to be recognized for their cultural significance and emotional depth.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Norman Duncan
Writer
- Born: July 2, 1871
- Birthplace: Brantford, Ontario, Canada
- Died: October 18, 1916
- Place of death: Fredonia, New York
Biography
Norman Duncan was an author, journalist, and educator. The majority of his writings were inspired by visits to Newfoundland and Labrador. His love for the terrain of the Labrador Peninsula and the people of the Newfoundland outports was obvious in several of his books. Duncan was the son of Susan Hawley and Augustus Duncan. He attended the University of Toronto and graduated in 1895 without a degree. After graduation, Duncan became a journalist for the Auburn Bulletin in New York; two years later, he started writing for The New York Evening Post. Between 1900 and 1904, he was a correspondent for McClure’s magazine. In 1901, Duncan was appointed as a professor of rhetoric at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania. Harper’s magazine in New York made Duncan its Middle and Far East correspondent in 1907 and then again in 1912. Between 1909 and 1911 Duncan was an English professor at the University of Kansas.
Duncan took several trips as a magazine correspondent, traveling to Newfoundland and Labrador for McClure’s and Syria, Palestine, Arabia, and Egypt for Harper’s. Several of his early books were about Newfoundland and were published while he was a professor in Pennsylvania. Duncan’s novel Doctor Luke of the Labrador is well-known for its story about an outport trader and his family. His other family- themed book, The Mother, showed that Duncan considered family ties important, even though he never married.