What Is 1979 Governor General's Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1979 Governor General's Awards were Canada's annual honors for excellence in literature, recognizing works published that year in categories like fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. Winners included authors such as Margaret Atwood and Michael Ondaatje.

Key Facts

The 1979 Governor General's Awards honored Canadian literary works published in English and French.
Margaret Atwood won the Fiction award for her novel 'Life Before Man'.
Michael Ondaatje received the Poetry award for 'There's a Trick with a Knife I'm Learning to Do'.
Awards were presented in 14 categories, including drama, children's literature, and translation.
Winners received a medal, a $1,000 prize, and national recognition.

Overview

The 1979 Governor General's Awards celebrated outstanding Canadian writing across multiple genres and languages. These awards are among Canada’s most prestigious literary honors, administered annually by the Canada Council for the Arts. They recognize excellence in English and French-language works published during the calendar year.

That year, the awards highlighted a strong cohort of authors who would go on to shape Canadian literature. The ceremony continued a tradition begun in 1936, reinforcing national pride in homegrown literary talent. Winners were selected by independent juries in each category.

Margaret Atwood won the English Fiction award for her novel Life Before Man, a psychological exploration of relationships and identity in Toronto.
Michael Ondaatje received the English Poetry prize for There's a Trick with a Knife I'm Learning to Do, a lyrical and experimental collection.
The English Drama award went to David Freeman for Creeps, a powerful play about marginalized individuals in society.
In French-language fiction, Andrée Martel was honored for Les fils de la liberté, a historical novel set during the 1837 rebellions.
The Children’s Literature category saw Janet Lunn win for The Root Cellar, a time-travel story blending history and fantasy.

How It Works

The Governor General's Awards follow a structured selection process involving publishers, juries, and the Canada Council. Works must be originally written in or translated into English or French and published in Canada during the award year.

Eligibility: Only books published between January 1 and December 31, 1979, were considered, ensuring a fair annual cycle for submissions.
Jury Selection: Independent panels of three experts were appointed for each category, ensuring impartial and knowledgeable evaluation of entries.
Submission Process: Publishers submitted up to three titles per category, paying a fee and providing multiple copies to the Canada Council.
Judging Criteria: Works were assessed on literary merit, originality, and contribution to Canadian cultural expression in either official language.
Translation Awards: The award for Translation recognized works translated from French to English or vice versa, promoting bilingualism and cross-cultural exchange.
Prize Value: Each winner received a medal, a $1,000 cash prize, and significant media attention, boosting book sales and author visibility.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key categories and winners from the 1979 Governor General's Awards:

Category	Winner	Work	Language	Prize Value
Fiction	Margaret Atwood	Life Before Man	English	$1,000 + medal
Poetry	Michael Ondaatje	There's a Trick with a Knife I'm Learning to Do	English	$1,000 + medal
Drama	David Freeman	Creeps	English	$1,000 + medal
Children’s Literature	Janet Lunn	The Root Cellar	English	$1,000 + medal
Translation	Sheila Fischman	Translating Le soleil de la pampa	French to English	$1,000 + medal

The 1979 awards reflected a growing diversity in Canadian storytelling, with themes ranging from personal identity to historical memory. These honors helped elevate Canadian authors on the international stage and encouraged publishers to support high-quality literary works.

Why It Matters

The 1979 Governor General's Awards played a crucial role in shaping Canada’s literary landscape. By recognizing bold and innovative writing, they validated the importance of the arts in national identity. The visibility from winning often led to increased book sales and international publishing opportunities.

Margaret Atwood’s win solidified her status as a leading voice in Canadian literature, preceding her global fame with The Handmaid’s Tale.
Michael Ondaatje’s poetry award highlighted the growing acceptance of experimental forms in mainstream Canadian literature.
The recognition of children’s literature underscored the importance of early engagement with Canadian stories and history.
French-language winners reinforced Canada’s commitment to bilingualism and cultural equity in the arts.
Winning an award often led to doubling or tripling of book sales, providing authors with financial stability and wider reach.
The awards also influenced university curricula, with winning books frequently adopted in literature courses across the country.

Today, the 1979 awards are remembered as a pivotal year that showcased the depth and diversity of Canadian writing at a time of national cultural growth.