Literary Halifax

Halifax is a beautiful and book-loving city steeped in history, culture, and literature. According to the National Geographic 2014 Traveler, Halifax is also one of the world’s smartest cities.

Let’s explore our city’s hidden literary treasures and vibrant bookish landscape.

Famous writers associated with Halifax include:

Canada’s first French-Canadian novelist, Philippe-Ignace-François Aubert de Gaspé Jr. (L’Influence d’un livre). “Aubert de Gaspé came to Halifax in 1840 and briefly taught at the Poorhouse, which was located just up the road on Doyle Street. He later accepted a job as parliamentary reporter for the Halifax Morning Post.”

A beloved Nova Scotian author Thomas Raddall (The Governor’s Lady, Halifax: Warden of the North) “chose early Halifax for many of his novels, mixing real historical figures and events with fictional characters.”

The world famous Anne of Green Gables author, Lucy Maud Montgomery, “came to Halifax in 1895 to attend Dalhousie University and instantly fell in love with the city. “

Charles Dickens (The Pickwick Papers, A Christmas Carol). “For one day, on January 21st, 1842, Joseph Howe hosted notable author Charles Dickens on his first visit to Canada.”

Oscar Wilde (The Picture of Dorian Gray) “arrived in Halifax on October 8th, 1882 and took to the stage, the next night, at the Academy of Music, which once stood on the site of the Maritime Centre.”

“For almost two decades, Anna Leonowens (The English Governess at the Siamese Court) lived in Halifax with her daughter Avis and son-in-law, Thomas Fyshe, general manager of the Bank of Nova Scotia.”

Many writers have found Halifax to be an inspiring setting for their fiction:

The Halifax Connection by Marie Jakober 

The Deception of Livvy Higgs by Donna Morrissey

 Burden of Desire by Robert MacNeil

Going Fast by Elaine McCluskey

Sign of the Cross by Anne Emery (Monty Collins mysteries)

Shoot Me by Lesley Crewe

Homing by Stephanie Domet

Dear Reader, you can read more about Halifax literary scene in the  Halifax Literary Walking Tour