Richard B. Wright facts for kids

Richard Bruce Wright (born March 4, 1937, died February 7, 2017) was a famous Canadian writer. He wrote many novels, which are like long stories. He became very well known for his book Clara Callan in 2001. This book won three big awards in Canada. These awards were the Giller Prize, the Trillium Book Award, and the Governor General's Award.

Early Life and School

Richard Wright was born in Midland, Ontario. His parents were Laverne and Laura Wright. He finished high school in Midland in 1956. Then, he went to Ryerson Polytechnic Institute. He studied Radio and TV arts there and graduated in 1959.

After college, he worked for a short time. He wrote for local newspapers and radio stations. In 1960, he became an assistant editor for Macmillan Canada.

His Writing Career

First Books and Early Success

Richard Wright married Phyllis Cotton in 1966. They had two sons, Christopher Stephen and Richard Andrew. While working at Macmillan, he published his first book. It was a children's book called Andrew Tolliver. Later, it was renamed One John A. Too Many.

His first full novel for adults was The Weekend Man. He wrote this book in about a year and a half. He was staying at his wife's family cottage in Quebec at the time. This novel was very successful with critics. People praised his writing style. They also liked how he created believable female characters.

In 1970, Wright went back to school at Trent University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1972. In 1976, he started teaching English. He taught at Ridley College, which is a private school. He taught there until he retired.

Later Books and Big Awards

Richard Wright was nominated for many awards over the years. But he became truly famous in 2001. This was when his novel Clara Callan won two major awards. It won the Giller Prize and the Governor General's Award. This success led to many of his older books being printed again.

Clara Callan ended up winning three of Canada's most important literary awards. These were the Giller Prize, the Trillium Book Award, and the Governor General's Award.

Wright's books often tell stories about regular people. He writes with a lot of feeling and understanding. Many people have praised his ability to create characters that feel real. A reviewer from The Montreal Gazette said his book Mr.Shakespeare's Bastard was "A masterful novel." They also said it showed his skill in writing from a female point of view. The Winnipeg Free Press said the novel "Draws us swiftly through the pages."

His stories bring settings and characters to life. This has made him a widely recognized Canadian novelist. His books have been published all over the world. In 2006, Trent University gave him an honorary degree. In 2007, he became a member of the Order of Canada. This is a very special honor in Canada.

Later Life and Passing

Richard Wright lived in St. Catharines, Ontario. He spent his time writing full-time. He also enjoyed walking, reading, and listening to music. He passed away in the hospital on February 7, 2017. He was 79 years old and died from a stroke.

Awards and Honors

• Toronto Book Award 1973 (for In The Middle Of Life)
• Faber Memorial Prize UK 1975 (for In The Middle Of Life)
• Nominated for Giller Prize 1995 (for The Age Of Longing)
• Nominated for Governor General's Award 1995 (for The Age Of Longing)
• Governor General's Award 2001 (for Clara Callan)
• Giller Prize 2001 (for Clara Callan)
• Trillium Book Award 2001 (for Clara Callan)
• Honorary Doctor of Letters 2006 (from Trent University)
• Member of The Order Of Canada 2007