Mitchell, W O

▪ 1999

      Canadian writer (b. March 13, 1914, Weyburn, Sask.—d. Feb. 25, 1998, Calgary, Alta.), created humorous, nostalgic works that evoked life on the farms and in the small towns of the prairies of western Canada. His works came to be considered classics, and he was said to be the country's most beloved writer. Mitchell studied (1932-34) at the University of Manitoba but dropped out to travel. After doing so and then working at a number of odd jobs upon his return to Calgary, he resumed his studies, receiving a B.A. degree from the University of Alberta in 1942; he then became a teacher and high-school principal. From 1948 to 1951 Mitchell was fiction editor of Maclean's magazine, and he later taught at the Banff (Alta.) Centre for the Arts and served as writer in residence at a number of Canadian universities. The first of Mitchell's 13 novels, Who Has Seen the Wind (1947; filmed, 1977), featured a young boy as he entered adolescence and brought the author instant acclaim. His fame spread when the Canadian Broadcasting Company began (1950) airing his series "Jake and the Kid," which ran weekly on radio until 1956 and was televised in 1961. Among Mitchell's other books were The Vanishing Point (1973), How I Spent My Summer Holidays (1981), and Roses Are Difficult Here (1990). He also wrote such stage plays as The Devil's Instrument (1972) and The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon (1979)—both of which had first been radio plays, in 1949 and 1955, respectively—as well as Back to Beulah (1974), The Kite (1981), and For Those in Peril on the Sea (1982). In addition, Mitchell's own performances of his works were treasured, and they brought him an even wider audience. Among his many honours were the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal (1962 and 1990), the Order of Canada (1973), and membership in the Privy Council (1992). In 1997 a Can$15,000 W.O. Mitchell Literary Prize was announced.

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