What Is 1957 Governor General's Awards

Overview

The 1957 Governor General's Awards recognized outstanding Canadian literary works published during the previous year, 1956. These awards are among Canada’s most prestigious honors for creative writing and scholarship.

Administered by the Canada Council beginning in 1957, the program marked a formalization of national literary recognition. The awards celebrated excellence in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, highlighting Canada’s growing cultural identity.

• Gabrielle Roy won the fiction category for her novel The Tin Flute, a powerful depiction of poverty in Montreal during the Great Depression.
• A. J. M. Smith received the poetry prize for News of the Phoenix and Other Poems, a collection showcasing modernist influences and lyrical depth.
• Donald Creighton was awarded in non-fiction for Macdonald: Young Statesman, the second volume of his acclaimed biography of Sir John A. Macdonald.
• Each winner received a monetary prize and national recognition, helping to elevate Canadian authors on the world stage.
• The 1957 awards were among the first fully managed by the Canada Council, which assumed responsibility from earlier private committees.

How It Works

The Governor General's Awards follow a structured process for nomination, judging, and selection, ensuring fairness and prestige in recognizing Canadian literature.

• Eligibility Period: Works must have been first published in Canada between January 1 and December 31 of the preceding year. For the 1957 awards, this meant books released in 1956.
• Categories: Three main categories were awarded: Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry, each judged independently by expert literary panels.
• Jury Selection: Independent juries composed of writers, academics, and critics reviewed submissions and selected finalists and winners based on literary merit.
• Submission Process: Publishers submitted eligible books, often paying a fee to cover administrative costs, with multiple copies provided to each jury member.
• Language Consideration: Awards were given separately for English and French works, though translations could be considered in some years.
• Announcement: Winners were publicly announced in the fall of 1957, with formal ceremonies held later, often attended by the Governor General.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1957 Governor General's Award winners across major categories:

This table highlights the linguistic and thematic diversity of Canadian literature in the mid-20th century. The 1957 awards reflected both national historical narratives and intimate personal stories, bridging English and French literary traditions.

Why It Matters

The 1957 Governor General's Awards played a crucial role in shaping Canada’s literary landscape by validating homegrown talent and encouraging future writers.

• Gabrielle Roy’s win reinforced the importance of French-Canadian voices in national literature, even when writing in translation.
• Donald Creighton’s biography contributed to public understanding of Canada’s political foundations and historical identity.
• A. J. M. Smith’s poetry award helped legitimize modernist poetry within Canadian academic and cultural circles.
• The formal involvement of the Canada Council marked a shift toward state-supported arts recognition in Canada.
• Winning an award often led to increased book sales, international publishing opportunities, and academic attention.
• The 1957 awards set a precedent for future years, establishing a consistent, transparent, and respected national literary honor system.

These awards remain a cornerstone of Canadian cultural policy, celebrating excellence and fostering a vibrant literary community across languages and regions.