Elizabeth W. Brewster

1922-2012

Elizabeth Winifred Brewster (born 26 August 1922) was a Canadian poet, novelist, essayist, and short-story writer from New Brunswick. She was born and raised in Chipman, New Brunswick. She earned four university degrees: a BA from the University of New Brunswick in 1946, an MA from Radcliffe College (Harvard University) in 1947, a BLS (Bachelors of Library Science) from the University of Toronto in 1952, and a PhD from the University of Indiana in 1962. Brewster began writing poetry at the age of nine or ten. She was actively involved in the formation of The Fiddlehead. Her first collection of poetry titled East Coast, was published in 1951 with Ryerson Press. In the late seventies she began writing prose fiction, starting with two novels—The Sisters (1974) and Junction (1982)—and a book of short stories entitled It’s Easy to Fall on the Ice (1977). She received an honorary doctorate from the University of New Brunswick in 1982 and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in the Arts in 1985. In 1996, her poetry collection Footnotes to the Book of Job was shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award. In 2001 she was inducted into the Order of Canada. Brewster died on 26 December 2012 at the age of ninety. 

 

Predominant New Brunswick Residences:

Chipman, Fredericton

Archival Material

• Elizabeth Brewster fonds
  ⌄
  Location

  Library and Archives Canada

  Website/Catalogue Record

  View Archival Record

  Retrieval Number

  R931-0-4-E, MG30-D370

  Date Range of Material

  [ca. 1935]-1997

  Extent

  4.91 m of textual records.
  171 photographs : chiefly b&w.
  4 medals : 2 gold, 1 bronze, 1 silver.
  1 print : reproduction ; 10.7 x 14.2 cm.
  9 v., bound ; 21 x 25 and smaller.
  1 print : col. poster ; 59 x 42.5 cm folded to 29.5 x 21 cm.

  Scope and Content Note

  Fonds consists of the personal papers and literary manuscripts of Elizabeth Brewster, arranged in the following series: Manuscript notebooks, Literary manuscripts - poetry, Literary manuscripts - prose, Literary manuscripts - critical writings, Teaching notes, Reviews, Memorabilia, Correspondence - general, Correspondence - nominal, Diaries, Financial records. The fonds also contains photographs relating to the life and career of Elizabeth Brewster, including a number of formal portraits as well as photographs of Brewster receiving her honorary doctorate, University of New Brunswick, 1982; members of her family; visits with friends; and other writers, including Irving Layton, Dorothy Livesay, Frank Scott, Desmond Pacey, P.K. Page, and George Bowering, [ca. 1935-1989]. Also included is a Christmas card sent by James Reaney and Colleen Thibodeau, showing a work by Reaney and Thibodeau, 1990. There are also medals given to Brewster by various Canadian Universities and by Birks & Sons.