What Is 1940 Governor General's Awards

Overview

The 1940 Governor General's Awards recognized the best in Canadian literature published during 1939, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's cultural development. These awards were administered by the Canadian Authors Association and served as the country's most prestigious literary honors at the time.

Established in 1936, the Governor General's Awards aimed to promote Canadian writing and elevate the status of authors across the country. The 1940 ceremony highlighted emerging literary voices and celebrated works that captured the social and historical realities of the era.

• Gabrielle Roy won the fiction award for her debut novel The Tin Flute, which depicted working-class life in Montreal during World War II and became a Canadian literary classic.
• Dorothy Livesay received the poetry prize for Day and Night, a collection praised for its modernist style and exploration of social justice themes during the Great Depression.
• C. W. Jefferys was honored in non-fiction for The Picture Gallery of Canadian History, a richly illustrated work that made historical education accessible to a broad audience.
• Each winner received a $500 prize, a significant sum in 1940 equivalent to over $9,000 today when adjusted for inflation, reflecting the award’s prestige.
• The awards were announced in January 1940, with works required to have been published between January 1 and December 31, 1939, to qualify for consideration.

How It Works

The Governor General's Awards in 1940 followed a nomination and jury-based selection process managed by the Canadian Authors Association, with input from publishers and literary experts.

• Term: The awards were open only to Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Authors had to submit their works through publishers or the CAA, which verified eligibility.
• Jury Selection: A panel of three to five literary judges, appointed by the CAA, reviewed submissions and made final decisions based on literary merit and originality.
• Categories: Awards were given in three categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry, each with a separate winner and prize amount.
• Publication Window: Only books published in 1939 were eligible, ensuring recognition of recent contributions to Canadian literature.
• Prize Money: Each winner received $500, funded by the Canadian government and administered through the Governor General’s office.
• Announcement: Winners were announced in January 1940, with formal recognition often occurring at a later date through public ceremonies or media coverage.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1940 Governor General's Awards with the modern version of the prize:

Since 1940, the Governor General's Awards have expanded significantly in scope and inclusivity. Today, they recognize a broader range of genres, languages, and identities, reflecting Canada’s evolving literary landscape and multicultural society.

Why It Matters

The 1940 Governor General's Awards were instrumental in shaping Canada’s national literary identity and supporting authors during a time of global uncertainty.

• Gabrielle Roy’s win helped establish French-Canadian voices in English Canada, paving the way for greater bilingual recognition in later years.
• Dorothy Livesay’s poetry brought attention to social inequality, influencing the development of socially conscious Canadian literature.
• The awards elevated Canadian history education by honoring C. W. Jefferys, whose illustrated works reached students and general readers alike.
• Winning brought national visibility to authors, increasing book sales and enabling further literary careers during a time with limited publishing opportunities.
• The $500 prize provided critical financial support to writers during the late Depression era, helping sustain creative work amid economic hardship.
• These awards laid the foundation for today’s prestigious literary culture, inspiring future programs like the Giller Prize and the Writers’ Trust Awards.

By recognizing excellence in Canadian writing, the 1940 Governor General's Awards played a vital role in affirming the value of literature in national identity and cultural development.