Literary Lapses

Stephen P. H. Butler Leacock (1869 - 1944) was a Canadian teacher, political scientist, writer and humorist. Between the years 1915 and 1925, he was the best-known English-speaking humorist in the world. He is known for his light humor along with criticisms of people's follies. The Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humor was named in his honor. Early in his career, Leacock turned to fiction, humor and short reports to supplement (and ultimately exceed) his regular income. His stories, first published in magazines in Canada and the United States and later in novel form, became extremely popular around the world. It was said in 1911 that more people had heard of Stephen Leacock than had heard of Canada.