Edward William Thomson was a Canadian journalist and author. He wrote a book of short stories Old Man Savarin and Other Stories (1895), and one of poetry, The Many-Mansioned House and Other Poems (1909).
Background
Ethnicity:
Thomson's family had American roots; his ancestors were American loyalists who had left the colonies and moved to Canada after the American Revolution.
Edward William Thomson was born on February 12, 1849, in Peel County, Ontario. He was the grandson of Edward William Thomson, a member of the York militia who was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada, and son of William, a banker, and Margaret Hamilton (Foley) Thomson.
Education
Thomson attended educational public schools, in Caledonia, Ontario, and Trinity College Grammar School in Weston, Ontario.
Career
From an early age, he wanted to emulate the soldierly exploits of his ancestors. A casual meeting with Abraham Lincoln while visiting an uncle in Philadelphia proved decisive. Even though a British subject and underage he ran away to the United States and enlisted in the Army of the Potomac in 1864. Later, after his family tracked him down and forced him to resign his position, Thomson joined the Queen’s Own Rifles to fight Fenian Raiders. He then began a career as a civil engineer in eastern Ontario, followed by a stint as an editorial writer for the Toronto Globe. Resigning from the paper in 1891 after a disagreement over editorial policy, Thomson moved to Boston, Massachusetts, and accepted a position as revising editor and writer for the boys’ magazine Youth’s Companion.
It was while Thomson was working for the Youth’s Companion that he began to write his own fiction and poetry. His most critically acclaimed collection of short stories, Old Man Savarin and Other Stories (1895), and its 1917 revision were both inspired by his memories of his Canadian homeland and upbringing.
Thomson was a member of the Royal Society of Literature and Royal Society of Canada.
Personality
Thomson led an active life, attaining success in several fields of professional endeavor, and he drew liberally on his experiences as a soldier, land surveyor, editor, and journalist in his creative work.
Quotes from others about the person
“As a journalist, Edward William Thomson did have some impact on broadening Canadians’ appreciation of their literary culture; and, in his ‘Savarin’ stories at least, he made a solid contribution to it.” - Thompson
Interests
Angling, walking
Connections
In 1873, Thomson married Adelaide St. Denis, a writer. They had a son, Bernard.