Isabella Valancy Crawford

Photo by Alan L Brown - June 13, 2005

Published by Dodo Press - February 2007

Plaque Location

The County of Bruce
The Municipality of Arran-Elderslie
In Paisley, on the south side of Goldie Street (County Road 11) just east of Queen Street (County Road 3) at the bridge.

Plaque Text

Born in Dublin, Ireland, about 1846, this notable Canadian poet immigrated with her family to Canada, 1857-58, settling at Paisley. Her father practised medicine here for some years and after his death in Peterborough in 1875, Isabella moved to Toronto where she attempted to support her sister and mother by writing. A fine knowledge of classical literature, an intense idealism and a gift for startling imagery pervade her poetry. Like many post-Confederation poets, she was influenced by the English Romantic and Victorian Schools. She brought to the pioneer Canadian landscape vivid images of love and death. Her brief life was marked by poverty and lack of recognition. Isabella Crawford's best-known collection is "Old Spookses' Pass, Malcolm's Katie and Other Poems", published in 1884, three years before her death.

Related page from my torontohistory.org website:
Isabella Valancy Crawford (1850-1887)

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