Michael Whelan
1858-1937
Michael Whelan was born at Grainfield on the Renous River, Northumberland County, New Brunswick on 27 April 1858. Although Whelan taught for a short time on a local license, he became a bookkeeper with lumber operators in the winter months and an odd-job man in the summers. His initial publication outlets were limited to the local weekly newspapers, especially The Union Advocate, which was also the source on which he depended to publish his first book of poems, Poems and Songs, in 1895. He also published Timely Topics (1932). He died in Chatham, New Brunswick on 10 May 1937. In July 1990 Michael O. Nowlan’s published Michael Whelan: Folk Poet of Renous River, which brought together over one hundred of Whelan’s poems. Whelan’s poem “Christmas Bells” (The Book Beautiful 1930) has been set to music and recorded by Susan Butler of the Miramichi. There has also been a theatrical tribute to Whelan’s work written and directed by Bernie Colepaugh of Renous.
Nowlan, Michael O. "Michael Whelan." New Brunswick Literary Encyclopedia, Winter 2011. Accessed 26 May 2023.
Predominant New Brunswick Residences:
Renous River, Miramichi
Archival Material
In addition to the material listed below, poems by Whelan can also be found in the Louise Manny collection in the New Brunswick Museum archives. Some can also be found in UNB Archives (MG L 11): "Obituary of Rev. John Joseph O'Leary, R.C. Pastor, Grand Falls, NB" and "The late Rev. John J. O'Leary of Grand Falls, once Parish Priest of Renous River, NB" (1892).
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Michael Whelan collection
⌄LocationProvincial Archives of New BrunswickRetrieval NumberMC971Date Range of Material1904Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of copies of Whalen family history, items relating to Michael Whelan that were collected by the donor, and a a history of Renous. There is also a single holograph poem entitled, "Alice M. Keough by M. Whelan" (1904). See MC80 for additional volumes of poetry and songs.
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Rufus Hathaway Collection
⌄LocationUniversity of New Brunswick Archives & Special CollectionsWebsite/Catalogue RecordRetrieval NumberHATH Series 2, file 989Extent
64 pages of textual records
Scope and Content NoteFile of poems by Michael Whelan.
Timely Topics by Michael Whelan
"Michael Whelan." New Brunswick Literary Encyclopedia, Winter 2011. Accessed 26 May 2023.
See the New Brunswick Literary Encyclopedia entry.