Joseph Boyden is a Canadian novelist and short story writer of Irish and Scottish descent. Boyden is best known for writing about First Nations culture. Three Day Road, a novel about two Cree soldiers serving in the Canadian military during World War I, was inspired by Ojibwa Francis Pegahmagabow, the legendary First World War sniper. Boyden's second novel, Through Black Spruce follows the story of Will, son of one of the characters in Three Day Road. The third novel in the Bird family trilogy was published in 2013 as The Orenda.
| Born: | October 31, 1966, Willowdale, North York, Ontario |
| Occupation: | professor, novelist and short story writer |
| Nationality: | Canadian |
| Alma mater: | Brebeuf College School, York University, University of New Orleans |
| Genre: | historical fiction, First Nations heritage and culture |
| Notable works: | Three Day Road, Through Black Spruce, The Orenda |
About Joseph Boyden
Known for works of historical fiction that focus on the lives of members of Canadian First Nations Aboriginal groups, Boyden penned several acclaimed novels, including Through Black Spruce (2008); The Orenda (2013); and Three Day Road (2005).
Before Fame
He attended the creative writing programs at both Canada's York University and America's University of New Orleans and went on to teach at the University of British Columbia and at Northern College.
Achievement
His literary honors include the Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Canada Reads Award, and the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize.
Family Life
The son of distinguished Second World War medical officer Raymond Wilfrid Boyden, Joseph Boyden was raised in North York, Ontario, Canada, as a member of a family of Anishinaabe, Scottish, and Irish descent. His wife, Amanda Boyden, also pursued a literary career.
Associations
He and fellow Canadian author Tomson Highway both set their novels against primarily Canadian Aboriginal landscapes.
Information related to Joseph Boyden
- University of New Orleans faculty
- University of New Orleans alumni
- Indspire Awards
- Canadian male short story writers
- 21st-century Canadian short story writers
- Canadian male novelists
