Stephen Leacock
Full Name and Common Aliases
Stephen Butler Leacock was a renowned Canadian economist, historian, writer, and humorist.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on December 30, 1869, in Swanton Heath, Hampshire, England; passed away on March 28, 1944, at the age of 74, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Canadian; Economist, Historian, Writer, Humorist
Early Life and Background
Stephen Leacock was born to a family with strong ties to the British Empire. His father, William Morton Leacock, was an Anglican clergyman, and his mother, Elizabeth Butler Leacock, came from a respectable English family. The Leacocks emigrated to Canada in 1879, settling in Montreal, Quebec. Stephen's early life was marked by a strong education, which laid the foundation for his future academic pursuits.
Major Accomplishments
Leacock's most significant contributions to Canadian society were as an economist and historian. He served as the Director of Economics at McGill University from 1906 until his retirement in 1944. His work focused on the economic development of Canada, particularly during World War I. Leacock was also a passionate advocate for social justice, supporting women's suffrage and workers' rights.
Notable Works or Actions
Leacock's most famous works include:
"Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town" (1912) - A collection of humorous essays that satirize small-town Canadian life.
"Arcadian Adventures in the Golden Age" (1914) - A series of essays exploring Canada's history and politics during World War I.
"The Humerous Magazine" (1921-1939) - A popular magazine where Leacock published many of his humorous essays.Impact and Legacy
Stephen Leacock's impact on Canadian society is multifaceted. As an economist, he provided valuable insights into the country's economic growth during World War I. His writings also contributed to a greater understanding of Canada's history and culture. Leacock's legacy extends beyond his academic work; his humorous essays continue to entertain readers today, offering a unique perspective on Canadian life.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Stephen Leacock is widely quoted and remembered for his:
Humor: His witty observations on Canadian society continue to delight readers.
Insightful commentary: Leacock's economic and historical analyses offer valuable perspectives on Canada's development.
Passion for social justice: His advocacy for women's suffrage, workers' rights, and other progressive causes has left a lasting impact.
Overall, Stephen Leacock's contributions to Canadian society are a testament to his dedication to education, social justice, and cultural enrichment.
Quotes by Stephen Leacock
Stephen Leacock's insights on:
A sportsman is a man who, every now and then, simply has to get out and kill something. Not that he's cruel. He wouldn't hurt a fly. It's not big enough.
And beer rolled down the Tennessee and California Wine Was used as Blood for Hollywood.
The parent who could see his boy as he really is would shake his head and say, 'Willie is no good. I'll sell him.'
Advertising may be described as the science of arresting the human intelligence long enough to get money from it.
A sportsman is a man who every now and then, simply has to get out and kill something.
The landlady of a boarding-house is a parallelogram - that is, an oblong angular figure, which cannot be described, but which is equal to anything.
There are two things in ordinary conversation which ordinary people dislike - information and wit.
The Compleat Angler is acknowledged to be one of the world’s books. Only the trouble is that the world doesn’t read its books, it borrows a detective story instead.
Modern critics, who refuse to let a plain thing alone, have now started a theory that Cervantes’s work is a vast piece of “symbolism.” If so, Cervantes didn’t know it himself and nobody thought of it for three hundred years. He meant it as a satire upon the silly romances of chivalry.