What Is 1937 Governor General's Awards

Overview

The 1937 Governor General's Awards marked the second year of Canada’s national literary honors, celebrating English-language books published in 1936. These awards were established to promote Canadian literature and recognize excellence in writing across multiple genres.

Administered by the Canadian Authors Association at the time, the 1937 awards laid the foundation for what would become one of Canada’s most prestigious literary institutions. Though modest in scale compared to today’s ceremonies, the event highlighted emerging voices and set a precedent for national recognition of Canadian authors.

• Five categories were awarded: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Translation, reflecting a broad scope of literary achievement.
• Winners were selected based on books published during the calendar year 1936, not the year of the award ceremony.
• The awards were not government-run at the time but managed by the Canadian Authors Association, a private literary organization.
• There was no cash prize in 1937; winners received a medal and public recognition as the primary form of honor.
• The 1937 awards continued the precedent set in 1936, the inaugural year, reinforcing the legitimacy of the program.

How It Works

The 1937 Governor General's Awards followed a nomination and selection process managed by the Canadian Authors Association, with input from regional chapters and literary experts. Unlike today’s structured jury system, the process was more informal but still aimed to recognize outstanding Canadian writing.

• Term: The awards recognized works published in 1936. Eligibility was limited to Canadian citizens or permanent residents, though this was loosely enforced in early years.
• Judging panels consisted of members from the Canadian Authors Association, often including published writers and educators from across the country.
• Each category had independent evaluators, though records of specific judges from 1937 are not well preserved in public archives.
• Books were submitted by publishers or authors directly to the Association, with no entry fee required during this early period.
• No shortlists were publicly released; winners were announced directly, with minimal media coverage compared to modern standards.
• The awards ceremony itself was low-key, often held at literary gatherings or association meetings rather than a formal televised event.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1937 Governor General's Awards with the modern version to illustrate how the program has evolved in scope and structure.

The transformation from a modest literary honor to a high-profile national institution reflects Canada’s growing cultural identity. While the 1937 awards were foundational, today’s program offers broader representation, financial support, and international visibility for Canadian authors.

Why It Matters

The 1937 Governor General's Awards were a critical step in establishing a national literary tradition in Canada, providing early validation for Canadian writers in a cultural landscape dominated by British and American publishing. Though small in scale, the recognition helped legitimize local voices and encouraged literary production across the country.

• The awards encouraged Canadian authors to write for a domestic audience, fostering a sense of national literary identity.
• By recognizing multiple genres, the 1937 awards promoted diversity in Canadian literature from the outset.
• Winning an award in 1937 often led to increased book sales and greater visibility among readers and publishers.
• The program laid the groundwork for future government involvement in the arts, culminating in Canada Council funding in the 1950s.
• Historical records of the 1937 winners help scholars track the evolution of Canadian literature over time.
• The awards contributed to the professionalization of writing in Canada, elevating authors to national figures.

Today, the Governor General's Literary Awards are a cornerstone of Canada’s cultural infrastructure, but their roots lie in these early, underfunded, yet visionary efforts like the 1937 edition.