Edward Openshaw Phillips (November 26, 1931 – May 30, 2020) was a Canadian novelist who wrote both mystery novels and mainstream literary fiction.[1] He was best known for his mystery novel series featuring gay detective Geoffrey Chadwick.[2]

Edward O. Phillips
BornEdward Openshaw Phillips
(1931-11-26)November 26, 1931
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DiedMay 30, 2020(2020-05-30) (aged 88)
Canada
Occupationnovelist
Period1980s-2020s
Notable worksSunday's Child, Buried on Sunday

Biography

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Phillips lived most of his life in Westmount, Quebec.[2] He graduated from Bishop's College School and earned a law degree from the Université de Montréal in 1956, but decided against legal practice.[1] He subsequently graduated from Harvard University with a master's degree in teaching, and later earned a second master's degree in English literature from Boston University.[1] After teaching school for seven years, first in the public English school system and then at Selwyn House School, he pursued a long-time interest in painting.[1] His work was exhibited in five one-man and numerous group shows.

His first novel, Sunday's Child, was published in 1981,[2] and was shortlisted for the Books in Canada First Novel Award. Phillips won the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Novel in 1987 for his novel Buried on Sunday,[2] and was shortlisted for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour in 1989 for his novel Hope Springs Eternal.[3] His short story "Matthew and Chauncy" was adapted by Anne Claire Poirier into the 1989 film Salut Victor.[4]

He was out as gay.[2] His partner, Kenneth Woodman, predeceased him in 2018.[1]

Phillips died in May 2020, from heart failure and complications of COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.[5][6]

Works

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  • Sunday's Child
  • Where There's a Will
  • A Voyage on Sunday
  • No Early Birds
  • The Mice Will Play
  • Buried on Sunday
  • Sunday Best
  • Working on Sunday
  • Hope Springs Eternal
  • The Landlady's Niece
  • A Month of Sundays
  • The Queen's Court

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Diane Peters, "Novelist Edward O. Phillips penned a series featuring gay sleuth Geoffry Chadwick". The Globe and Mail, June 19, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Whodunits set in 'duchy of Westmount' will appeal to tweed-curtain aficionados". Victoria Times-Colonist, August 1, 2004.
  3. ^ "Leacock award 'stuns' winner". Toronto Star, May 30, 1989.
  4. ^ "Tales of foibled Westmount; Edward O. Phillips changes genre, but stays close to home". Montreal Gazette, April 25, 1992.
  5. ^ Edward Openshaw Phillip. Montreal Gazette, June 4, 2020.
  6. ^ Novelist Edward O. Phillips penned a series featuring gay sleuth Geoffry Chadwick. The Globe and Mail, June 19, 2020.