Farley Mowat
Farley Mowat: A Life of Adventure and Advocacy
Full Name and Common Aliases
Farley Mowat was born Archibald Franklin Mowat on May 24, 1921, in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. He is commonly known by his pen name, Farley Mowat.
Birth and Death Dates
May 24, 1921 - May 6, 2014
Nationality and Profession(s)
Canadian author, naturalist, and ornithologist
Early Life and Background
Farley Mowat's early life was marked by a love for the outdoors and a strong sense of adventure. Growing up in Belleville, Ontario, he spent much of his childhood exploring the surrounding countryside and developing a deep appreciation for nature. His father, Archibald Mowat, was a doctor who encouraged Farley's curiosity and nurtured his passion for wildlife.
Mowat attended Upper Canada College in Toronto before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Engineers during World War II. He saw action in North Africa and Europe, including the D-Day invasion of Normandy. After the war, he returned to Canada and began writing about his experiences, eventually publishing his first book, _People of the Deer_, in 1952.
Major Accomplishments
Farley Mowat's writing career spanned over five decades and produced numerous bestselling books on wildlife, conservation, and human relationships with nature. Some of his most notable works include:
_Never Cry Wolf_ (1963): A non-fiction account of Mowat's time as a government scientist studying wolves in the Canadian Arctic.
_People of the Deer_ (1952): A novel about Inuit people living in the Canadian Arctic, which won the Governor General's Award for English-language fiction.
_In the Country Underground_ (1974): A collection of essays exploring the human relationship with nature.
Mowat's writing often focused on the consequences of human actions on the environment and the importance of preserving natural habitats. His work helped raise awareness about issues such as overhunting, deforestation, and climate change.
Notable Works or Actions
Farley Mowat was a prolific writer who produced over 30 books during his lifetime. Some of his notable works include:
_Never Cry Wolf_: A non-fiction account of Mowat's time as a government scientist studying wolves in the Canadian Arctic.
_People of the Deer_: A novel about Inuit people living in the Canadian Arctic, which won the Governor General's Award for English-language fiction.
_In the Country Underground_: A collection of essays exploring the human relationship with nature.
Mowat was also an advocate for conservation and wildlife preservation. He worked tirelessly to raise awareness about issues such as overhunting, deforestation, and climate change.
Impact and Legacy
Farley Mowat's writing had a significant impact on the way people think about their relationship with nature. His work helped raise awareness about important environmental issues and inspired many readers to become involved in conservation efforts. As a result of his advocacy, Mowat was awarded numerous honors for his contributions to literature and conservation.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Farley Mowat's legacy as a writer and advocate is still celebrated today. His commitment to preserving natural habitats and promoting environmental awareness continues to inspire readers around the world. As a result, his quotes and writings remain widely read and referenced in discussions about conservation and sustainability.
Quotes by Farley Mowat
Somewhere to the eastward a wolf howled; lightly, questioningly. I knew the voice, for I had heard it many times before. It was George, sounding the wasteland for an echo from the missing members of his family. But for me it was a voice which spoke of the lost world which once was ours before we chose the alien role; a world which I had glimpsed and almost entered... only to be excluded, at the end, by my own self.
The frozen fish were later put in deep holes in the moss and covered over to keep until they were needed.
I write every day. I’m always in the process of writing my last book, until the next one.
I have to go on writing because I wouldn’t be able to go on without writing. It is the only function that works for me, and without that function, I would die.
Don’t make a big distinction between fiction and non-fiction. These are arbitrary distinctions...
There was no other wanderer on that road, yet I was not alone, for his tracks went with me, each pawprint as familiar as the print of my own hand. I followed them, and I knew each thing that he had done, each move that he had made, each thought that had been his; for so it is with two who live one life together.