Fred Ward (writer) facts for kids

Frederick Ward (1937-2017) was an important African-Canadian poet, writer, and professor. He was known for his thoughtful writing and for teaching at universities in Canada.

Frederick Ward: A Life of Words

Frederick Ward was born in June 1937 in Kansas City, Missouri, in the United States. He lived in many different places, like New Mexico, Detroit, Toronto, and California. In 1970, he moved to Halifax, Canada, and made it his home.

His Education and Teaching

Ward loved to learn. He studied music at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He also went to the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri. He even learned to play jazz piano from the famous musician Oscar Peterson.

Later, Frederick Ward became a professor. He taught at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He also taught at Dawson College in Montreal, Quebec.

His Creative Work

Frederick Ward was a talented writer. He wrote many poems and other works. One of his notable achievements was writing the script for a film called Train of Dreams. This movie was released in 1987 and was produced by the National Film Board of Canada.

Why His Work Matters

Frederick Ward's writing is important because it tells stories and shares ideas from an African-Canadian perspective. His work has been studied by other writers and professors. For example, George Elliott Clarke wrote about Ward in his book Directions Home: Approaches to African-Canadian Literature. Another book, The Black Atlantic Reconsidered by Winfried Siemerling, also looked at Ward's writing. These studies help us understand the important place Frederick Ward holds in Canadian literature.