What Is 1960 Governor General's Awards

Overview

The 1960 Governor General's Awards celebrated the best in Canadian literature published during the previous year, 1959. These awards, administered by the Canada Council for the Arts, are among Canada’s most prestigious literary honors and have been awarded annually since 1937.

By 1960, the awards had become a key benchmark for literary excellence in Canada, helping to elevate national voices in fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. Recognition from the Governor General's Awards often led to increased readership and critical acclaim for Canadian authors.

• Established in 1937, the Governor General's Literary Awards honor Canadian writers in both English and French across multiple genres.
• The 1960 awards ceremony was held in March to recognize books published in 1959, continuing the tradition of annual recognition.
• Hugh MacLennan won the English-language Fiction award for his novel The Watch That Ends the Night, a meditation on faith and Cold War anxiety.
• Margaret Avison received the Poetry award for her debut collection Winter Sun, praised for its spiritual depth and technical mastery.
• The awards included seven categories: Fiction, Poetry, and Non-Fiction in both English and French, plus a Children’s Literature prize.

How It Works

The Governor General's Awards follow a rigorous selection process involving peer assessment and jury evaluation to ensure literary merit is the primary criterion.

• Term: Eligible books must be written by Canadian citizens or permanent residents and published in Canada during the calendar year prior to the award. This ensures national relevance and timeliness.
• Jury Selection: Independent juries of three writers, critics, or academics are appointed for each language and category to ensure impartial and expert evaluation of submissions.
• Submission Process: Publishers submit entries by a set deadline, typically in the fall, with over 1,000 books entered annually across all categories by the 1960s.
• Evaluation Criteria: Works are judged on originality, language mastery, thematic depth, and overall contribution to Canadian literature and cultural discourse.
• Bilingual Recognition: Awards are given separately for English and French works, reflecting Canada’s official bilingualism and supporting both literary traditions.
• Prize and Prestige: While monetary value was modest in 1960, the honor significantly boosted authors’ careers and often led to increased sales and international attention.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 1960 Governor General's Award winners by category and language:

This table highlights the bilingual and multidisciplinary nature of the awards. By recognizing both English and French authors in multiple genres, the 1960 awards underscored the diversity and richness of Canadian literary culture during a formative period in the nation’s cultural history.

Why It Matters

The 1960 Governor General's Awards played a crucial role in shaping Canada’s national literary identity during a time of growing cultural confidence.

• Hugh MacLennan’s win cemented his status as a leading figure in Canadian literature, bringing national and international attention to Canadian themes in fiction.
• Margaret Avison’s debut collection helped establish her as a major poetic voice, influencing generations of Canadian poets with its introspective style.
• The recognition of Yves Thériault’s 'Agaguk' brought Indigenous themes and northern narratives into the Canadian literary mainstream.
• Donald Creighton’s biography of John A. Macdonald contributed to public understanding of Canada’s political foundations and historical legacy.
• The awards helped promote Canadian publishers and encouraged investment in domestic literature during a period dominated by foreign imports.
• By honoring both languages, the awards reinforced Canada’s bilingual identity and supported the development of distinct literary traditions in English and French.

Today, the 1960 awards are remembered as a pivotal moment in Canadian cultural history, marking the rise of a self-confident national literature that continues to thrive.