Robert_Thomas_Allen

Robert Thomas Allen

Robert Thomas Allen

Canadian humorist (1911–1990)

Robert Thomas Allen (1911–1990) was a Canadian humorist, best known as a two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Award for humour.[1] He won the award in 1957 for The Grass Is Never Greener, and in 1971 for Wives, Children and Other Wild Life.[1]

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Allen began his career as an advertising writer for Eaton's and Simpsons,[2] and was a freelance contributor of humorous essays to publications such as Maclean's, Saturday Night, The Canadian, Weekend and Star Weekly.[2] He published 14 books throughout his career, including both compilations of his essays and works of children's literature.[2] In addition to his two Leacock Awards, he won the Ruth Schwartz Award for children's literature in 1976 for his book The Violin.[1]

A recurring character in the work of Toronto Star editorial cartoonist Duncan Macpherson, a bespectacled "average Canadian", was originally drawn as a caricature of Allen.[3]

Following his retirement, Allen and his family moved to Sun City, California in 1983.[1] He died of a heart attack in San Bernardino in 1990, aged 79.[1]

References

  1. [1]
    "Robert Allen hailed as humorist". Toronto Star, July 15, 1990.
  2. [2]
    "Robert Thomas Allen Magazine writer was gentle humorist". The Globe and Mail, July 21, 1990.
  3. [3]
    Roy Macgregor, "Canadian readers lose a delightful old friend". Ottawa Citizen, September 13, 1990.
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