Horwood, Harold Andrew

Harold Andrew Horwood (1923-), writer, journalist, politician, social activist, was born at St. John's 2 November 1923, son of Vina (Maidment) and Andrew Horwood. He married Cornelia (Lindesmith) (Cohen); they had two children, Andrew and Leah.

Upon graduation from Prince of Wales College, Horwood was employed as a longshoreman. It was during this period that Horwood became involved in the labour movement; in 1946, He organized the Labourers' and General Workers' Protective Union and served as President. He was the organizer for the Newfoundland Federation of Labour from 1946-1948. Horwood next became involved in the pro-Confederation campaign, and served from 1949-1951 as Liberal MHA for Labrador. He was a reporter, columnist and editor for the Evening Telegram from 1952-1958, before he resigned to write full-time. By the early 1950s Horwood was an outspoken critic of J. R. Smallwood. He was the founding vice-chair of The Writers' Union of Canada and chair, (1980-81), and founded the literary journal; The New Quarterly (1980-81).

A prolific writer, Horwood published over twenty-five books, including fiction (Tomorrow Will Be Sunday ; White Eskimo; Beyond The Road ), the travel book, Newfoundland, collections of short stories (Only The Gods Speak), biographies (Bartlett, the Great Explorer, The Foxes of Beachy Cove), poetry (Cycle of the Sun), and two volumes of memoirs (A Walk in the Dream Time, and Among the Lions), as well as numerous articles. Several of his works have won literary awards; Horwood was also awarded the Order of Canada in 1979.

Created - May 22, 2013

• English