Morley Torgov
Canadian novelist, humorist, and lawyer (1927–2026)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Morley Lorne Torgov CM (December 3, 1927 – July 19, 2026) was a Canadian novelist, humorist and lawyer. He had a 70 year career in law as a partner in the Toronto-firm Olch Torgov and Cohen LLP.
Life and career
Torgov was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on December 3, 1927, the only child of Allen and Sarah Jane Torgov.[1]
He wrote for The Sault Daily Star as a columnist and reporter from 1941 to 1946. Torgov has credited his experience writing for the newspaper with helping him learn to write creatively.[2]
He studied law at Osgoode Hall in Toronto, becoming a lawyer in 1954. He practised real estate and corporate law for 70 years as a senior partner in the Toronto-based legal firm Olch Torgov and Cohen.[3]
Torgov wrote and published eight books. His first, A Good Place To Come From, a collection of short stories based on his experiences and Jewish up-bringing in depression-era Sault Ste. Marie was published in 1974. The book was made into a three episode TV series that aired on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in March 1980.[4][5]
His 1982 novel The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick was adapted into the 1988 film of the same name.[6]
Torgov died on July 19, 2026, at the age of 98.[7]
Family
Torgov married Anna Pearl Cohen on December 26, 1952 at Prince Arthur House in Toronto.[8]
He was the father of actress and artist Sarah Torgov.[9]
Honours
Torgov was twice awarded the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour for A Good Place To Come From and The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick.[10]
In 1990, he received honorary doctor of letters degrees from Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie[11] and Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario.[12]
In 2015, he was named a member of the Order of Canada[13] for his contributions to Canadian literature as a humourist and storyteller.[14]
Awards and recognition
- 1975: winner, Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour, A Good Place to Come From[15]
- 1978: finalist, Books in Canada First Novel Award, The Abramsky Variations
- 1983: winner, Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour, The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick[16]
Bibliography
- 1974: A Good Place to Come From (Lester and Orpen Dennys) ISBN 0-919630-66-9
- 1977: The Abramsky Variations (Lester and Orpen Dennys) ISBN 0-919630-80-4
- 1982: The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick (Lester and Orpen Dennys) ISBN 0-919630-29-4, paperback ISBN 1-55192-548-6, Seal paperback ISBN 0-7704-2431-7
- 1990: St Farb's Day (Lester and Orpen Dennys) ISBN 0-88619-333-8
- 1998: The War to End All Wars (Malcolm Lester) ISBN 1-894121-06-6
- 2002: Stickler and Me (Raincoast) ISBN 1-55192-546-X
- 2008: Murder in A-major (RendezVous Crime) ISBN 1-894917-65-0
- 2012: The Mastersinger from Minsk (Dundurn) ISBN 978-1-4597-0203-5
