Canadian poet Al Purdy published over 30 collections, a novel, two memoirs and four books of letters — including one between him and Margaret Laurence — over five decades of writing. Born in Wooler, Ont. in 1918 and raised during the Depression, Purdy served in the RCAF in the Second World War. As a writer, he received two Governor General's Awards for Poetry and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1982. He died in North Saanich, B.C. on April 21, 2000.
Media Audio | Archives : Al Purdy's life in letters
Caption: Purdy's correspondence with politicians, poets and personal heroes is published after his death. Al: The Collected Letters of Al Purdy (2004), Harbour Publishing.