F. R. Scott
F. R. Scott was a notable Canadian poet and law professor, born in Quebec City in 1899. He was raised in a culturally rich environment, influenced by his father, an Anglican priest and poet, which fostered his early interest in literature and science. After completing his education at Bishop's College and earning a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University, Scott embraced socialist philosophy, which shaped his literary and political views. Upon returning to Canada, he taught at Lower Canada College while pursuing a law degree at McGill University, where he eventually became a law professor and served as dean.
As a member of the intellectual collective known as The Group, Scott contributed significantly to Canadian literature and political discourse. His work included satirical poetry and essays, reflecting his commitment to civil rights and social justice. He published several poetry collections, including the acclaimed "Events and Signals," and engaged in translating works by Quebec poets. Throughout his career, Scott received numerous accolades, such as election to the Royal Society of Canada and various literary awards. He passed away in 1985, leaving behind a legacy of activism and literary contribution.
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Subject Terms
F. R. Scott
Poet
- Born: August 1, 1899
- Birthplace: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Died: January 31, 1985
- Place of death: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Biography
F. R. Scott was born in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, in 1899, the son of the Anglican priest and poet F. G. Scott. Scott’s father instilled an early love of astronomy in his son, and Scott studied the science of the stars throughout his childhood. Scott attended Quebec High School and in 1916 enrolled at Bishop’s College at Lennoxville, where he studied poetry and European history, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 1919. The following year Scott received a Rhodes scholarship and began attending Oxford University in England. There he pursued his interest in history, poetry, and science. At Oxford, Scott also received his first exposure to socialist philosophy, which he found closely paralleled his personal ideals. In 1922, Scott received his master’s degree and returned to Canada.
Upon his return, Scott was awarded a teaching position at the Lower Canada College in Montreal. While teaching, he pursued a law degree at McGill University and served an apprenticeship with a Montreal law firm. Scott passed the bar exam in 1927. The following year he married the painter Marian Mildred Dale and became a law professor at McGill University. Scott remained at McGill University for the next forty-one years, serving as the dean of law for three of those years.
During the 1920’s Scott became involved with an association of intellectuals called The Group, which gathered together to discuss art, politics, and literature. Scott was influenced by his association with The Group both politically and as a writer. He published his first work, a satirical poem entitled “The Canadian Authors Meet” in the McGill Fortnightly Review. He then joined the editorial board of the Canadian Forum, in which he published an essay on the new era of modern poetry. In the 1930’s and 1940’s he published a number of poems of a political nature in Canadian Forum. During this time Scott became involved in civil rights and was a founding member of the League for Social Reconstruction.
In 1945, Scott published his first full volume of poetry, entitled Overture. This was followed in 1954 by the critically acclaimed poetry collection Events and Signals. Three years later Scott released his third poetry collection, The Eye of the Needle: Satires, Sorties, Sundries. Het later turned his attention to translating the works of Quebec poets.
Scott received a number of honors for his poetry and activism. He was elected to the Royal Society of Canada and was awarded the Canada Council’s translation prize, the Lorne Pierce Medal, and the Guarantor’s Prize. He died on January 31, 1985.