What Is 1938 Governor General's Awards

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1938 Governor General's Awards were Canada's national literary honors, recognizing English-language books published in 1937. Winners included Earle Birney for poetry and Frederick Philip Grove for fiction.

Key Facts

1938 Governor General's Awards honored books published in 1937
First year poetry was included as a separate category
Earle Birney won for his poetry collection 'David and Other Poems'
Frederick Philip Grove won for fiction with 'The Canadian Brothers'
Award categories included fiction, non-fiction, and poetry

Overview

The 1938 Governor General's Awards marked a pivotal moment in Canadian literary history, recognizing outstanding English-language books published during the preceding year, 1937. These awards were administered by the Canadian Authors Association before being taken over by the federal government, establishing a formal national recognition system for Canadian writers.

As one of the earliest iterations of the modern Governor General’s Awards, the 1938 edition helped lay the foundation for what would become Canada’s most prestigious literary honors. The inclusion of poetry as a standalone category for the first time underscored a growing commitment to diverse literary forms.

Term: The awards honored books published in 1937, with winners announced in 1938, setting a precedent for annual recognition.
First poetry category: This was the first year that poetry was recognized as a distinct category, highlighting its growing importance in Canadian literature.
Earle Birney’s win: Poet Earle Birney received the award for David and Other Poems, a collection that blended modernist style with Canadian themes.
Fiction winner:Frederick Philip Grove won for The Canadian Brothers, a novel exploring pioneer life and national identity.
Non-fiction recognition: The non-fiction award went to Agnes C. Laut for Pathfinders of the West, a historical account of Canadian exploration.

How It Works

The 1938 Governor General's Awards followed a nomination and selection process managed by the Canadian Authors Association, with categories judged independently. Unlike today’s system, there was no monetary prize, but winning conferred significant prestige and visibility.

Term: The awards were given for books published in the prior calendar year; 1937 was the eligibility window, with results announced in 1938.
Judging panel: A committee of established Canadian authors and critics selected winners, though records of specific judges are limited.
Categories: Three main categories existed: fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, with no awards for drama or children’s literature at that time.
Eligibility: Only Canadian citizens or permanent residents could win, and books had to be originally written in English.
Publication requirement: Works had to be first published in Canada during the eligibility year to qualify for consideration.
No cash prize: Unlike modern versions, the 1938 awards did not include a monetary component, focusing instead on honor and recognition.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1938 Governor General's Awards with the current format, highlighting key changes over time.

Feature	1938 Awards	Modern Awards (2023)
Categories	Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry	7 categories including Drama, Translation, Young People’s Literature
Prize Money	None	$25,000 per winner
Administration	Canadian Authors Association	Canada Council for the Arts
Eligibility Year	Books published in 1937	Books published in 2022 (for 2023 awards)
Language	English only (French awards separate)	Separate awards for English and French literature

The table illustrates how the Governor General's Awards have evolved from a modest, tri-category honor into a comprehensive national program. Today, the awards include multiple genres and languages, reflecting Canada’s diverse literary landscape.

Why It Matters

The 1938 Governor General's Awards were instrumental in shaping Canada’s literary identity, providing early validation for homegrown authors during a time when British and American works dominated the market. By recognizing Canadian voices, the awards helped foster a distinct national literature.

Historical milestone: The 1938 awards marked the first recognition of poetry, expanding the scope of Canadian literary honors.
Cultural impact: Winners like Earle Birney influenced future generations of poets and contributed to the modernist movement in Canada.
National identity: The awards promoted Canadian themes and settings, helping define a unique literary voice separate from Europe.
Legacy: Many 1938-era authors became foundational figures in Canadian literature, studied in universities today.
Precedent: The structure set in 1938 laid the groundwork for today’s nationwide literary recognition system.
Encouragement: Recognition inspired emerging writers to pursue literary careers, knowing Canadian stories could gain national acclaim.

Ultimately, the 1938 Governor General's Awards were more than a list of winners—they were a declaration that Canadian literature mattered. Their legacy endures in every bookshelf that holds a Canadian classic.