Braithwaite, Max

▪ 1996

      Canadian author (b. Dec. 7, 1911, Nokomis, Sask.—d. March 19, 1995, Brighton, Ont.), drew on his humorous experiences as a teacher in Depression-era rural Saskatchewan in Why Shoot the Teacher? (1965), which was made into an award-winning film of the same title in 1977 and became part of a trilogy that includes Never Sleep Three in a Bed (1969) and The Night We Stole the Mountie's Car (1971). The latter volume was awarded the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour in 1972. Braithwaite, who was educated at the University of Saskatchewan, was a superb craftsman who compassionately captured the spirit of the prairie people and the hardships they endured during the "Dirty Thirties." His work as a freelance included writing radio dramas, film and stage scripts, and articles for Canadian magazines. Among his more than 20 books was a series for children, including The Mystery of the Muffled Man (1962) and The Valley of the Vanishing Birds (1963). An adult book, All the Way Home (1986), returned to the theme of poverty.

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