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{{Short description|Canadian writer}}
{{multiple issues|
RAYMOND FRASER is a native of Chatham NB and now lives in Fredericton. He is the author of five books of fiction, two biographies and five books of poetry. One of Canada's foremost writers, his work has been called irreverent, moving, insightful, disturbing, powerful and outrageously funny. He has contributed to a large number of magazines, including Canadian Forum, Canadian Fiction Magazine, Journal of Canadian Fiction, Matrix, Fiddlehead, Antigonish Review, West Coast Review and Queen's Quarterly. His fiction and poetry have been broadcast by CBC radio and TV and represented in anthologies such as Stories of the Maritimes, Toronto Short Stories, Stories of Quebec, New American &
{{more citations needed|date=October 2018}}
Canadian Poetry, The Maple Laugh Forever and The Maritime Experience.
{{more footnotes needed|date=June 2012}}
{{autobiography|date=July 2018}}
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2012}}


{{Infobox writer <!-- For more information see [[:Template:Infobox Writer/doc]]. -->
He has served as an editor of the literary periodicals Tom-Tom, Pottersfield Portfolio and Intercourse, and was a founding member of The Montreal Story Tellers Performance Group which initiated the public reading of fiction in Canada.
| name = Raymond Fraser
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|ONB|size=100%}}
| image = Raymond Fraser.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Raymond Fraser in his Paris days{{when|date=July 2018}}
| pseudonym =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1941|5|8}}
| birth_place = [[Chatham, New Brunswick]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2018|10|22|1941|5|8}}
| death_place = [[Fredericton]], New Brunswick
| resting_place =
| occupation = Writer
| language = English
| nationality =
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = Canadian
| education =
| alma_mater = [[St. Thomas University (New Brunswick)|St. Thomas University]]
| period =
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| notableworks =
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| relatives =
| awards = [[Lieutenant-Governor's Award for High Achievement in the Arts]] <small>(2009)</small>
| signature =
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| module =
| website = {{URL|raymondfraser.blogspot.com}}
| portaldisp =
| influences =
}}
'''Raymond Fraser''' {{post-nominals|ONB}} (May 8, 1941 – October 22, 2018) was a Canadian biographer, editor, essayist, memoirist, novelist, poet and short story writer. Fraser published fourteen books of fiction, three of non-fiction, and eight poetry collections. Fraser's writings were praised by such literary figures as [[Farley Mowat]], [[Irving Layton]], [[Louis Dudek]], [[Alden Nowlan]], [[Sheila Watson (writer)|Sheila Watson]], [[Leonard Cohen]], [[Hugh Garner]], and [[Michael Cook (playwright)|Michael Cook]].{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}


==Biography==
His novel THE BANNONBRIDGE MUSICIANS was runner-up for the Governor General's Award. His most recent book is COSTA BLANCA, a collection of short fiction(Black Moss Press, 2001). A new novel, IN A CLOUD OF DUST AND SMOKE, will be published by Black Moss in the fall of 2003.
Born in [[Chatham, New Brunswick|Chatham]], New Brunswick, Raymond Fraser attended [[St. Thomas University (New Brunswick)|St. Thomas University]] where in his freshman year he played on the varsity hockey and football teams, and in his junior year was co-editor with John Brebner of the student literary magazine ''Tom-Tom''.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} His 20-year correspondence and friendship with the poet [[Alden Nowlan]] date from this period.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}


During the sixties Fraser worked as a lab technician, a high school teacher, and as editor and freelance writer for a number of tabloid newspapers.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
*****************
WHAT'S BEEN SAID:


While living in [[Montreal]] in 1966, Fraser and poet Leroy Johnson founded the literary magazine ''[[Intercourse magazine|Intercourse: Contemporary Canadian Writing]]''.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} In 1971 he was one of the founders of the Montreal Story Tellers Fiction Performance Group and the Rank Outsiders Poetry Extravaganza.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} His first book of fiction, ''The Black Horse Tavern'' (1973), was published in Montreal by Ingluvin Publications.
"Raymond Fraser's booming Maritime vigour and directness seem, with subtle undertows of psychological configuration, like a roaring tide battering the literary shore. His narrative ancestors are not only the old salts of every Maritime tavern or watering-hole, but also the more commemorated figures of Mark Twain and Hugh Garner."
-- Keith Garebian, "The Montreal Story Tellers" (Vehicule Press)


Fraser died in [[Fredericton]], New Brunswick, on October 22, 2018, at the age of 77.<ref>{{cite news |last1=CBC News |title=Prolific New Brunswick writer Raymond Fraser dies at 77 {{!}} CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/raymond-fraser-new-brunswick-writer-dies-1.4875163 |accessdate=24 October 2018 |work=CBC |agency=CBC}}</ref>
THE BLACK HORSE TAVERN
"A highly original voice that is occasionaly sad, sometimes very comic. A real pleasure to read." (Alan Dawe, Vancouver Sun)


==Awards and recognition==
"Raymond Fraser happens to be one of the liveliest and most entertaining writers in the country." (Alden Nowlan, Telegraph Journal)
His novel, ''The Bannonbridge Musicians'' (Ingluvin Publications) was a finalist for the 1978 [[Governor General's Award]].{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}


In 2009, following publication of his novel ''In Another Life'' (Lion's Head Press), he received the inaugural [[Lieutenant-Governor's Award for High Achievement in the Arts]] for English Language Literary Arts.<ref name=artsnb>{{cite web|title=2009 LGA Winners|url=http://artsnb.ca/site/en/awards/awards-archive/2009-lga-winners/|website=artsnb|accessdate=11 February 2015}}</ref>
"The best writer to come belling out of the Maritimes in decades." (Farley Mowat, Author)


Five of Fraser's books were listed in ''Atlantic Canada's 100 Greatest Books'' (Nimbus Publishing, 2009), a distinction shared by only three other authors.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
THE STRUGGLE OUTSIDE
"An almost surrealistic account... it represents the best in contemporary satire. Outrageously funny." (BEST SELLERS, New York)


In 2012 he was made a member of the [[Order of New Brunswick]], the province's highest honour, for his contributions to literature and New Brunswick's cultural life.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
"Literally one of the best books I've ever read. I split a gut from cover to cover An overlooked masterpiece." (Bernell MacDonald, Author, "Birds of Passage," etc.)


In May 2016, he received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from his alma mater, St Thomas University.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} In 2017, he received the Canadian Senate Sesquicentennial Medal in recognition of valuable service to the nation.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
"Ezuberant, comic... a satiric edge freqently bordering on Absurdist Fantasy." (Linda Sandler, Saturday Night)


Over the years he received four Canada Council Grants, six New Brunswick Arts Board Grants, and the Canadian Writers' Trust Woodcock Grant.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
THE BANNONBRIDGE MUSICIANS (Nominated for Governor General's Award)
"It's well-written, it's touching, it's full of life, and it's funny." (Andre Vigneult, CBC Radio)


==Bibliography==
"A rollicking story, well told." (William French, Globe & Mail)
===Fiction===
*''The Black Horse Tavern'' – 1973. Revised definitive edition with an Introduction by the author – 2014 (novella & stories)
*''The Struggle Outside'' – 1975. Revised definitive edition with an Afterword by the author – 2013 (novel)
*''The Bannonbridge Musicians'' – 1978. Revised definitive edition – 2014 (novel)
*''Rum River'' – 1997. Revised definitive edition – 2016 (novel)
*''Costa Blanca'' – 2001, 2013 (novella & stories)
*''In a Cloud of Dust and Smoke'' – 2003, 2013 (novel)
*''The Grumpy Man'' – 2008, 2013 (novella & stories)
*''In Another Life'' – 2009, 2013 (novel)
*''The Trials Of Brother Bell'' – 2010 (two novels, ''Repentance Vale'' & ''The Struggle Outside'')
*''The Madness Of Youth'' – 2011, 2013 (novel)
*''Repentance Vale'' – 2011, 2013 (novel)
*''Bliss'' – 2013 (stories)
*''Seasons of Discontent'' – 2015 (novel)
*''Through Sunlight and Shadows'' – 2018 (novel)


===Biography===
THE FIGHTING FISHERMAN: THE LIFE OF YVON DURELLE
*''The Fighting Fisherman: The Life of Yvon Durelle'' – 1981, 1983, 2005
"An authentic Canadian tragic hero... Superb!" (Tim Burke, Montreal Gazette)
*''Todd Matchett: Confessions of a Young Criminal'' – 1994


===Memoirs and essays===
TODD MATCHETT: CONFESSIONS OF A YOUNG CRIMINAL
*''When The Earth Was Flat'' – 2007, 2013
"A fine book, written in clear, clean prose. Insightful and compelling." (Philip Lee, New Brunswick Reader)


===Poetry===
RUM RIVER
*''For the Miramichi'' – 1966
"Comic and horrifying." (Heather Sanderson, Canadian Literature)
*''Waiting for God's Angel'' – 1967
*''I've Laughed and Sung'' – 1969
"Perceptive, magnetic and laced with humour." (Anne Ingram, The Gleaner)
*''The More I Live'' – 1971
*''Stop The Highway... 4 Montreal Poets: Raymond Fraser, Clifford Gaston, Bob Higgins & Bryan McCarthy'' – 1972
*''Macbride Poems'' – 1992
*''Before You're A Stranger'' – 2000
*''As I See it'' – 2017


===eBooks===
"As with all Raymond Fraser's books, almost impossible to put down." (Brian Jeffrey Street, Author, "The Parachute Ward," etc.)
*''The Black Horse Tavern''
*''Bliss''
*''Costa Blanca''
*''When The Earth Was Flat''
*''The Grumpy Man''
*''Repentance Vale''


===Anthology edited===
COSTA BLANCA
*''East of Canada: An Atlantic Anthology'' – 1977 (Eds.: Raymond Fraser, Clyde Rose and Jim Stewart)
"Entertaining and provocative." (Michael O. Nowlan, The Gleaner)


===Literary magazines edited===
"A first-rate collection, well-written and unfailingly entertaining. In its way every bit as good as his RUM RIVER." (Marc Plourde, Author & Translator)
*''Tom-Tom'' (St. Thomas University) Raymond Fraser and John Brebner, eds. 1962.
*''Intercourse: Contemporary Canadian Writing'' Raymond Fraser et al., eds. 1966–1971.
*''The Pottersfield Portfolio'' Raymond Fraser et al., eds. 1990–1992.
*''Lion's Head Magazine'' (online) Raymond Fraser and Bernell MacDonald, eds. 2014– .


==References==
I'VE LAUGHED AND SUNG (Poems)
{{Reflist}}
"Unfailingly interesting and impossible to put down once I started. The poems have wit and a perfectly authentic consistency—a subtle play against a constant background bass of despair or cosmic absurdity. Wonderful stuff!" (Louis Dudek, Poet & Critic)
* J. R. (Tim) Struthers, ed. ''The Montreal Story Tellers''. Montreal: Vehicle Press. 1985.
* Margie Williamson. ''Four Maritime Poets: a survey of the works of Alden Nowlan, Fred Cogswell, Raymond Fraser and Al Pittman, as they reflect the spirit and culture of the Maritime people''. Thesis (M.A.), Dalhousie University, 1973 [microform].
* Stephen Patrick Clare & Trevor J. Adams. ''Atlantic Canada's 100 Greatest Books''. Halifax: Nimbus Publishing Ltd. 2009.
* ''Canadian Who's Who''. Toronto: Third Sector Publishing. 2015.


==External links==
"I read the book from cover to cover—I found the verses so delightful I could not put it down until I finished. The everyday subjects and events the poems deal with ring so true." (T.C. "Tommy" Douglas)
* [http://www.lib.unb.ca/archives/finding/Fraser/bio.html Archival records for Raymond Fraser at the University of New Brunswick]
* [http://raymondfraser.blogspot.com Raymond Fraser's weblog]
* [http://www.stu-acpa.com/raymond-fraser.html Atlantic Canadian Poets Archive]
* [http://w3.stu.ca/stu/sites/nble/f/fraser_raymond_jospeh.html New Brunswick Literary Encyclopedia]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fraser, Raymond}}
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:2018 deaths]]
[[Category:Canadian male novelists]]
[[Category:Canadian male poets]]
[[Category:Canadian male short story writers]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:Canadian male biographers]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of New Brunswick]]
[[Category:People from Miramichi, New Brunswick]]
[[Category:People from Northumberland County, New Brunswick]]
[[Category:St. Thomas University (New Brunswick) alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian biographers]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian poets]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian novelists]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian short story writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian biographers]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian novelists]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian poets]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian short story writers]]
[[Category:Writers from New Brunswick]]

Latest revision as of 04:05, 23 October 2023

Raymond Fraser

ONB
Raymond Fraser in his Paris days[when?]
Raymond Fraser in his Paris days[when?]
Born(1941-05-08)May 8, 1941
Chatham, New Brunswick
DiedOctober 22, 2018(2018-10-22) (aged 77)
Fredericton, New Brunswick
OccupationWriter
LanguageEnglish
CitizenshipCanadian
Alma materSt. Thomas University
Notable awardsLieutenant-Governor's Award for High Achievement in the Arts (2009)
Website
raymondfraser.blogspot.com

Raymond Fraser ONB (May 8, 1941 – October 22, 2018) was a Canadian biographer, editor, essayist, memoirist, novelist, poet and short story writer. Fraser published fourteen books of fiction, three of non-fiction, and eight poetry collections. Fraser's writings were praised by such literary figures as Farley Mowat, Irving Layton, Louis Dudek, Alden Nowlan, Sheila Watson, Leonard Cohen, Hugh Garner, and Michael Cook.[citation needed]

Biography[edit]

Born in Chatham, New Brunswick, Raymond Fraser attended St. Thomas University where in his freshman year he played on the varsity hockey and football teams, and in his junior year was co-editor with John Brebner of the student literary magazine Tom-Tom.[citation needed] His 20-year correspondence and friendship with the poet Alden Nowlan date from this period.[citation needed]

During the sixties Fraser worked as a lab technician, a high school teacher, and as editor and freelance writer for a number of tabloid newspapers.[citation needed]

While living in Montreal in 1966, Fraser and poet Leroy Johnson founded the literary magazine Intercourse: Contemporary Canadian Writing.[citation needed] In 1971 he was one of the founders of the Montreal Story Tellers Fiction Performance Group and the Rank Outsiders Poetry Extravaganza.[citation needed] His first book of fiction, The Black Horse Tavern (1973), was published in Montreal by Ingluvin Publications.

Fraser died in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on October 22, 2018, at the age of 77.[1]

Awards and recognition[edit]

His novel, The Bannonbridge Musicians (Ingluvin Publications) was a finalist for the 1978 Governor General's Award.[citation needed]

In 2009, following publication of his novel In Another Life (Lion's Head Press), he received the inaugural Lieutenant-Governor's Award for High Achievement in the Arts for English Language Literary Arts.[2]

Five of Fraser's books were listed in Atlantic Canada's 100 Greatest Books (Nimbus Publishing, 2009), a distinction shared by only three other authors.[citation needed]

In 2012 he was made a member of the Order of New Brunswick, the province's highest honour, for his contributions to literature and New Brunswick's cultural life.[citation needed]

In May 2016, he received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from his alma mater, St Thomas University.[citation needed] In 2017, he received the Canadian Senate Sesquicentennial Medal in recognition of valuable service to the nation.[citation needed]

Over the years he received four Canada Council Grants, six New Brunswick Arts Board Grants, and the Canadian Writers' Trust Woodcock Grant.[citation needed]

Bibliography[edit]

Fiction[edit]

  • The Black Horse Tavern – 1973. Revised definitive edition with an Introduction by the author – 2014 (novella & stories)
  • The Struggle Outside – 1975. Revised definitive edition with an Afterword by the author – 2013 (novel)
  • The Bannonbridge Musicians – 1978. Revised definitive edition – 2014 (novel)
  • Rum River – 1997. Revised definitive edition – 2016 (novel)
  • Costa Blanca – 2001, 2013 (novella & stories)
  • In a Cloud of Dust and Smoke – 2003, 2013 (novel)
  • The Grumpy Man – 2008, 2013 (novella & stories)
  • In Another Life – 2009, 2013 (novel)
  • The Trials Of Brother Bell – 2010 (two novels, Repentance Vale & The Struggle Outside)
  • The Madness Of Youth – 2011, 2013 (novel)
  • Repentance Vale – 2011, 2013 (novel)
  • Bliss – 2013 (stories)
  • Seasons of Discontent – 2015 (novel)
  • Through Sunlight and Shadows – 2018 (novel)

Biography[edit]

  • The Fighting Fisherman: The Life of Yvon Durelle – 1981, 1983, 2005
  • Todd Matchett: Confessions of a Young Criminal – 1994

Memoirs and essays[edit]

  • When The Earth Was Flat – 2007, 2013

Poetry[edit]

  • For the Miramichi – 1966
  • Waiting for God's Angel – 1967
  • I've Laughed and Sung – 1969
  • The More I Live – 1971
  • Stop The Highway... 4 Montreal Poets: Raymond Fraser, Clifford Gaston, Bob Higgins & Bryan McCarthy – 1972
  • Macbride Poems – 1992
  • Before You're A Stranger – 2000
  • As I See it – 2017

eBooks[edit]

  • The Black Horse Tavern
  • Bliss
  • Costa Blanca
  • When The Earth Was Flat
  • The Grumpy Man
  • Repentance Vale

Anthology edited[edit]

  • East of Canada: An Atlantic Anthology – 1977 (Eds.: Raymond Fraser, Clyde Rose and Jim Stewart)

Literary magazines edited[edit]

  • Tom-Tom (St. Thomas University) Raymond Fraser and John Brebner, eds. 1962.
  • Intercourse: Contemporary Canadian Writing Raymond Fraser et al., eds. 1966–1971.
  • The Pottersfield Portfolio Raymond Fraser et al., eds. 1990–1992.
  • Lion's Head Magazine (online) Raymond Fraser and Bernell MacDonald, eds. 2014– .

References[edit]

  1. ^ CBC News. "Prolific New Brunswick writer Raymond Fraser dies at 77 | CBC News". CBC. CBC. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  2. ^ "2009 LGA Winners". artsnb. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  • J. R. (Tim) Struthers, ed. The Montreal Story Tellers. Montreal: Vehicle Press. 1985.
  • Margie Williamson. Four Maritime Poets: a survey of the works of Alden Nowlan, Fred Cogswell, Raymond Fraser and Al Pittman, as they reflect the spirit and culture of the Maritime people. Thesis (M.A.), Dalhousie University, 1973 [microform].
  • Stephen Patrick Clare & Trevor J. Adams. Atlantic Canada's 100 Greatest Books. Halifax: Nimbus Publishing Ltd. 2009.
  • Canadian Who's Who. Toronto: Third Sector Publishing. 2015.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Raymond_Fraser&oldid=1181454209"