Francis Sherman
Francis Joseph Sherman was a Canadian nationalist poet born on February 3, 1871, in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He was influenced by notable figures during his education at the University of New Brunswick, which shaped his literary ambitions and his desire to contribute to a unique Canadian literary tradition. Despite his talent, financial challenges led him to leave school before completing his degree. Sherman pursued a successful career in banking, starting at the Merchant's Bank of Halifax, where he eventually took on various managerial roles, including overseeing branches in Havana, Cuba.
In addition to his banking career, Sherman served in the Canadian army during World War I, demonstrating his commitment to his country. His poetic endeavors were significant; he published several poetry collections, including "Matins" and "In Memorabilia Mortis," gaining renown for his sonnet writing. However, he ceased writing poetry in 1900, shifting his focus to a passion for reading and collecting books. Sherman passed away on June 15, 1926, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, leaving behind a legacy in both literature and banking.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Francis Sherman
Poet
- Born: February 3, 1871
- Birthplace: Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
- Died: June 15, 1926
- Place of death: Atlantic City, New Jersey
Biography
Canadian nationalist poet Francis Joseph Sherman was born on February 3, 1871, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. His parents were Louis Walsh Sherman, a lumberjack and liquor merchant, and Alice Maxwell Myshrall. Francis attended the Collegiate School and the University of New Brunswick, where his instructors, which included statesman George Foster and poet Bliss Carman, encouraged the establishment of a distinctive Canadian literary tradition. Sherman’s intellectual curiosity and love of poetry flourished during this time. Because of financial difficulties, however, Sherman left school before finishing his degree.
Sherman had a long, distinguished career in banking. He began working at the Merchant’s Bank of Halifax in 1887. Following his promotion to branch manager in 1897, he was sent overseas in 1899 to supervise the bank’s branches in Havana, Cuba. He became the assistant manager of the Royal Bank of Canada in 1907. He returned to Canada and served in the Canadian army during World War I; after the war, he was appointed assistant general manager of the Royal Bank. He retired from banking in 1919 and married Ruth Ann Sullivan of Philadelphia in 1921. Their two sons, Francis and Jerry, were born in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Throughout his banking career, Sherman indulged his poetic interests by writing verse. In 1895 the poet Charles G. D. Roberts suggested that he submit some of his poems to a publisher in Boston. Sherman’s collection Matins came out the following year. He went on to publish four more volumes: In Memorabilia Mortis (1896), A Prelude (1897), The Deserted City (1899), and A Canadian Calendar: XII Lyrics (1900). He became known for his mastery of the sonnet form.
In 1900 he stopped writing poetry; a self-professed bibliophile, he spent the rest of his days reading and collecting books, including those by William Morris, Rudyard Kipling, and Joseph Conrad. Sherman died in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on June 15, 1926.