Douglas Durkin

Durkin, Douglas Leader

Douglas Leader Durkin, author (b at Parry Sound, Ont 9 July 1884; d at Seattle, Wash 4 June 1967). Raised to be a missionary, Durkin instead developed a literary interest and an appreciation for a profane lifestyle. A sense of justice and belief in spiritual redemption were retained, though, and these sentiments are found in his early publications, written during WWI while he was a lecturer at Brandon College and University of Manitoba. In 1921 Durkin moved to the US, abandoning his family and career, and completed The Magpie, a novel focusing on postwar unrest in Winnipeg. He was joined in 1923 by Martha OSTENSO, and the 2 collaborated on Wild Geese, published under her name in 1925. Thereafter Durkin issued only one novel under his own name, producing short pieces and working with Ostenso on various novels. Although long neglected by scholars and the public, Durkin's work is of enduring quality.