Robert Thomas Allen
Robert Thomas Allen (1911–1990) was a Canadian humorist, best known as a two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Award for humour.[1] He won the award in 1957 for The Grass Is Never Greener, and in 1971 for Wives, Children and Other Wild Life.[1]
Robert Thomas Allen | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1911 Toronto, Ontario |
| Died | 1990 San Bernardino, California |
| Occupation | humorist |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Period | 1950s-1970s |
| Notable works | The Grass Is Never Greener, Wives, Children and Other Wild Life |
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Allen began his career as an advertising writer for Eaton's and Simpsons,[2] and was a freelance contributor of humorous essays to publications such as Maclean's, Saturday Night, The Canadian, Weekend and Star Weekly.[2] He published 14 books throughout his career, including both compilations of his essays and works of children's literature.[2] In addition to his two Leacock Awards, he won the Ruth Schwartz Award for children's literature in 1976 for his book The Violin.[1]
A recurring character in the work of Toronto Star editorial cartoonist Duncan Macpherson, a bespectacled "average Canadian", was originally drawn as a caricature of Allen.[3]
Following his retirement, Allen and his family moved to Sun City, California in 1983.[1] He died of a heart attack in San Bernardino in 1990, aged 79.[1]
References
- "Robert Allen hailed as humorist". Toronto Star, July 15, 1990.
- "Robert Thomas Allen Magazine writer was gentle humorist". The Globe and Mail, July 21, 1990.
- Roy Macgregor, "Canadian readers lose a delightful old friend". Ottawa Citizen, September 13, 1990.