Ethel Davis Wilson

Ethel Davis Wilson was a South African-born Canadian novelist and short-story writer. She was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on January 20, 1888. After her mother died when she was two, she moved to England with her father. Following her father's death, she moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, to live with her maternal grandmother. She was educated in Vancouver and England, and after receiving her teaching certificate, she taught in Vancouver elementary schools for thirteen years. In 1921, she married Wallace Wilson, a physician. Wilson began her writing career later in life, publishing her first short story in 1937 at the age of 49. Her notable works include "Hetty Dorval" (1947), "The Innocent Traveller" (1949), "Swamp Angel" (1954), and "Mrs. Golightly and Other Stories" (1961). Her writing often explores themes of personal growth, the complexities of women's lives, and the beauty of the British Columbia landscape. She received several accolades for her contributions to Canadian literature, including an honorary doctorate from the University of British Columbia and the Lorne Pierce Gold Medal. Ethel Wilson died on December 22, 1980, in Vancouver.