Laura Salverson
Canadian author (1890 – 1970)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Laura Goodman Salverson (December 9, 1890 – July 13, 1970) was a Canadian author.[1] Her work reflected her Icelandic heritage. Two of her books won Governor General's awards for literature.
Early life
Salverson was born Laura Goodman in Winnipeg, Manitoba,[1] the daughter of Lárus Guðmundsson and Ingibjörg Guðmundsdóttir who immigrated to Winnipeg in 1887 from Grundir in Bolungarvík, Iceland. She married George Salverson in 1913.
Career
While a young housewife and mother, Salverson began writing poetry. Several of her poems were published by local newspapers.[2]
In 1923, Salverson published her first novel. The Viking Heart.[3] She went on to write several novels based on Icelandic sagas and themes. Many of the characters in her stories were Scandinavian and German.[4]
Salverson wrote about her experiences with poverty and racial prejudice.[5] Her writings reflected her belief that Icelandic immigrants to Canada should maintain and support their Icelandic culture.[6] In 1939, she wrote an autobiography.[7]
Works
- The Viking Heart (1923)
- When Sparrows Fall (1925)
- Wayside Gleams (1925)
- Lord of the Silver Dragons (1927)
- The Dove (1933)
- The Dark Weaver: Against the Sombre Background of the Old Generations Flame the Scarlet Banners of the New (1937), winner of a 1937 Governor General's Award
- Black Lace (1938)
- Confessions of an Immigrant's Daughter (1939), winner of a 1939 Governor General's Award
- Immortal Rock: The Saga of the Kensington Stone (1954), winner of the 1954 Ryerson Fiction Award
