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 | |
|---|---|
| Born | Edward Openshaw Phillips November 26, 1931 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | May 30, 2020 (aged 88) Canada |
| Occupation | novelist |
| Period | 1980s-2020s |
| Notable works | Sunday's Child, Buried on Sunday |
Biography
editPhillips 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
edit- 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
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e "Whodunits set in 'duchy of Westmount' will appeal to tweed-curtain aficionados". Victoria Times-Colonist, August 1, 2004.
- ^ "Leacock award 'stuns' winner". Toronto Star, May 30, 1989.
- ^ "Tales of foibled Westmount; Edward O. Phillips changes genre, but stays close to home". Montreal Gazette, April 25, 1992.
- ^ Edward Openshaw Phillip. Montreal Gazette, June 4, 2020.
- ^ Novelist Edward O. Phillips penned a series featuring gay sleuth Geoffry Chadwick. The Globe and Mail, June 19, 2020.