Edgar Andrew Collard
Encyclopedia
Edgar Andrew Collard, CM
(6 September 1911 - 9 September 2000) was a Canadian
journalist and historian, best known for his Montreal Gazette column "All Our Yesterdays". He was born in Montreal
, Quebec
.
He received his MA in history from McGill University
in 1937. However health problems prevented him from completing his formal studies and ended his hopes of becoming a history professor.
Collard's association with The Montreal Gazette began when he submitted articles on Montreal's history. This led to an offer of a full-time job in the newspaper's library.
The first issue of his column "All Our Yesterdays" appeared in The Montreal Gazette on August 14, 1944 and appeared every weekend for 56 years. Each week the column addressed an episode or aspect of Montreal history. The column was reportedly read by such luminaries as Pierre Trudeau
and Robertson Davies
. His columns were compiled in several books which were illustrated by his longtime collaborator John Collins.
In 1949, he won the inaugural National Newspaper Award for editorial writing and was to win it another three times, a record unmatched in that category.
In 1953, he became editor-in-chief of The Gazette, retiring from that position in 1971. He continued his column until a month before his death. He was survived by his wife, the historian Elizabeth Collard who died soon after.
Collard was made a Member of the Order of Canada
in 1976.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(6 September 1911 - 9 September 2000) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
journalist and historian, best known for his Montreal Gazette column "All Our Yesterdays". He was born in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
.
He received his MA in history from McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
in 1937. However health problems prevented him from completing his formal studies and ended his hopes of becoming a history professor.
Collard's association with The Montreal Gazette began when he submitted articles on Montreal's history. This led to an offer of a full-time job in the newspaper's library.
The first issue of his column "All Our Yesterdays" appeared in The Montreal Gazette on August 14, 1944 and appeared every weekend for 56 years. Each week the column addressed an episode or aspect of Montreal history. The column was reportedly read by such luminaries as Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
and Robertson Davies
Robertson Davies
William Robertson Davies, CC, OOnt, FRSC, FRSL was a Canadian novelist, playwright, critic, journalist, and professor. He was one of Canada's best-known and most popular authors, and one of its most distinguished "men of letters", a term Davies is variously said to have gladly accepted for himself...
. His columns were compiled in several books which were illustrated by his longtime collaborator John Collins.
In 1949, he won the inaugural National Newspaper Award for editorial writing and was to win it another three times, a record unmatched in that category.
In 1953, he became editor-in-chief of The Gazette, retiring from that position in 1971. He continued his column until a month before his death. He was survived by his wife, the historian Elizabeth Collard who died soon after.
Collard was made a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
in 1976.