William Arthur Deacon
William Arthur Deacon (1890-1977) was a significant figure in Canadian literary journalism, recognized as the first full-time literary journalist in Canada. His career spanned from the 1920s until his retirement in the late 1960s, during which he served as literary editor for prominent publications including the *Toronto Mail and Empire*, *Toronto Globe and Mail*, and *Saturday Night*. Deacon was instrumental in shaping the discourse around Canadian literature, creating the book review supplement *The Bookshelf* for *Saturday Night* and contributing to various literary reviews. Born in Pembroke, Ontario, he faced early challenges, including the death of his father, but pursued education and a career in writing after abandoning law studies.
He published several works, including the essay collections *Pens and Pirates* and *Poteen: A Pot-Pourri of Canadian Essays*, with *The Four Jameses* being one of his best-known books, providing a humorous yet affectionate satire of four Canadian poets. Active in the Canadian Authors' Association, he played a key role in establishing literary awards that continue to recognize Canadian talent. Deacon's legacy is marked by his dedication to promoting Canadian literature and supporting fellow writers, and he is remembered for his contributions even after his passing in 1977.
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William Arthur Deacon
Journalist
- Born: April 6, 1890
- Birthplace: Pembroke, Ontario, Canada
- Died: August 5, 1977
- Place of death:
Biography
William Arthur Deacon was Canada’s leading literary journalist from the 1920’s until his retirement in the late 1960’s. Deacon was the first full-time literary journalist in Canada and helped form a coherent idea of Canadian literature. He was literary editor for the Toronto Mail and Empire, the Toronto Globe and Mail, and the Toronto-based paper, Saturday Night. He created the book review supplement, The Bookshelf, for Saturday Night and wrote for The New York Times Book Review and the Canadian Annual Review. He also was the Canadian correspondent for the Australian literary magazine, Argus.
Deacon was born in Pembroke, Ontario, in 1890. His father died when he was a baby, and he moved with his mother to Quebec to live with her parents. His maternal grandfather was a retired Methodist minister, and his uncle was the principal of the Methodist boarding school, Stanstead College, where Deacon attended for both primary and secondary school. Deacon enrolled in Victoria College in Toronto in 1907 but did not graduate, taking odd jobs until he married Gladys Coon in 1911. He and his new wife moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where his uncle sponsored his law studies.
While in Manitoba, Deacon became involved in the Theosophical Society, a religious and philosophical organization which was at the peak of its popularity in the mid-1910’s. He abandoned law and dedicated himself to a career as a writer and to Canadian literature as a cause. He and Gladys divorced, and he married Sally Townsend Syme, who was equally committed to his literary ambitions. The couple moved to Toronto, and shortly after he joined the staff of Saturday Night.
Essays were Deacon’s preferred genre and his first published book was an essay collection,Pens and Pirates. An essay from the later collection Poteen: A Pot-Pourri of Canadian Essays, entitled “What a Canadian Has Done for Canada,” satirizes Arthur Stringer’s Empty Hands (1924), considered a classic of Canadian literary satire.
In 1923, Deacon published a biography of writer Peter McArthur, famous for his depictions of rural Canadian life. Deacon is best known for The Four Jameses, which affectionately satirizes four Canadian poets—James Gay, James Gillis, James McIntyre, and James MacRae—all of whom were eccentric but deeply committed to their work. Deacon intended the book to poke fun at the writers and the critics who fussed over them, but he was won over by their artistic enthusiasm and the book, while remaining humorous, turned into a tribute.
Throughout his life, Deacon was active in the influential Canadian Authors’ Association; he helped found the Winnipeg branch, served as president of the Toronto branch, and was national president of the organization from 1946 to 1948. He worked to establish the Canadian Writers’ Foundation Award, the Governor General’s Award, and the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, and he is remembered most fondly for his personal and institutional efforts on behalf of Canadian writers.
Deacon died in 1977, leaving behind several unfinished works, including his memoirs and a history of Canadian literature commissioned by Doubleday. He and Sally Deacon had three children, William, Deirdre, and Mary.