Roberts, Theodore Goodridge

Entry updated 1 December 2024. Tagged: Author.

(1877-1953) Canadian poet and author born George Edward Theodore Roberts, brother of Charles G D Roberts; his poetry his more alive than his brother's, though consequently – given early twentieth century Canadian literary culture – it was less known while they were active poets. His best nonfantastic work is set in the Maritime Provinces of Canada. Two novels are of sf interest. Brothers of Peril: A Story of Old Newfoundland (1905) is a Lost Race tale set, unusually, in Canada. The Red Feathers: A Story of Remarkable Adventures When the Earth Was Young (1907), which is Prehistoric SF, is again set in Newfoundland, but in the deep past, with several civilizations vying for survival in a hard and changing world; Shamans and Wendigos [see The Encyclopedia of Fantasy under links below] shape the action though, in an early manifestation of Equipoise, they do so in sharply naturalistic settings. In depicting this material, Roberts made use of several Maritime Algonquin legends, including those concerning the Micmac culture hero Glooscap. The Merriest Knight: The Collected Arthurian Tales of Theodore Goodrich Roberts (coll 2001) assembles light fantasies [for Arthur again see The Encyclopedia of Fantasy under links below]. [JC]

George Edward Theodore Goodridge Roberts

born Fredericton, New Brunswick: 7 July 1877

died Digby, Nova Scotia: 24 February 1953

works

Brothers of Peril: A Story of Old Newfoundland (Boston, Massachusetts: L C Page and Company, 1905) [hb/H C Edwards]
The Red Feathers: A Story of Remarkable Adventures When the Earth Was Young (Boston, Massachusetts: L C Page and Company, 1907) [illus/hb/Charles Livingston Bull]
The Merriest Knight: The Collected Arthurian Tales of Theodore Goodrich Roberts (Oakland, California: GreenKnight Publishing/Pendragon, 2001) [coll: edited by Mike Ashley: first appeared 1947-1951 Blue Book: illus/pb/Shane A Holloway]

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