Leon Rooke
Encyclopedia
Leon Rooke, CM
(born September 11, 1934) is a Canadian
novelist. He was born in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina
in the United States
. Educated at the University of North Carolina
, he moved to Canada in 1969. He now lives in Toronto, Ontario
.
Rooke helped to found the Eden Mills Writers' Festival
in 1989. In 2002, Rooke championed The Stone Angel
by Margaret Laurence
in that year's edition of Canada Reads
. Rooke's work also appears in Blackbird: an online journal of literature and the arts
. In 2007, he 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...
(born September 11, 1934) is 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...
novelist. He was born in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Educated at the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, he moved to Canada in 1969. He now lives in Toronto, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
.
Rooke helped to found the Eden Mills Writers' Festival
Eden Mills Writers' Festival
- Introduction :The Eden Mills Writers' Festival is a festival that is celebrated once a year and is held in the beautiful village of Eden Mills. Eden Mills is approximately 12 KM west of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Eden Mills is a small village, which encompasses a strong sense of community. It is...
in 1989. In 2002, Rooke championed The Stone Angel
The Stone Angel
The Stone Angel, first published in 1964 by McClelland and Stewart, is perhaps the best-known of Margaret Laurence's series of novels set in the fictitious town of Manawaka, Manitoba. In parallel narratives set in the past and the present-day , The Stone Angel tells the story of Hagar Currie Shipley...
by Margaret Laurence
Margaret Laurence
Jean Margaret Laurence, CC was a Canadian novelist and short story writer, one of the major figures in Canadian literature.- Early years :...
in that year's edition of Canada Reads
Canada Reads
Canada Reads is an annual "battle of the books" competition organized and broadcast by Canada's public broadcaster, the CBC.-Overview:During Canada Reads, five personalities champion five different books, each champion extolling the merits of one of the titles. The debate is broadcast over a series...
. Rooke's work also appears in Blackbird: an online journal of literature and the arts
Blackbird: an online journal of literature and the arts
Blackbird is an online journal of literature and the arts based in the United States that posts two issues a year, May 1 and November 1. During the six month run of an issue, additional content appears as "featured" content...
. In 2007, he 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...
.