William Eldred Toye (June 19, 1926 – May 1, 2024) was a Canadian editor, author, and literary critic.

Biography

Toye was born on June 19, 1926, and grew up in Toronto, Ontario. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1948 where he majored in journalism. He obtained a job with the Canadian branch of

Oxford University Press Oxford University Press (OUP) is the publishing house of the University of Oxford. It is the largest university press in the world. Its first book was printed in Oxford in 1478, with the Press officially granted the legal right to print books ...

which at the time was nothing more than a desk in a warehouse. He worked at the job for the next 43 years and in 1969 became the Editorial Director. He retired in 1991 and continued with them on a freelance basis after that. Known for his astute editing abilities, he was one of the first people to usher in an expanded and flourishing Canadian publishing business. He was one of the founding editors of the

Tamarack Review The ''Tamarack Review'' was a Canadian literary magazine, published from 1956 to 1982. Established and edited by Robert Weaver, other figures associated with the magazine's editorial staff included Anne Wilkinson, William Toye and John Robert Co ...

in 1956 which ended publication in 1982. The early work of many notable Canadian authors appeared in its pages. Toye authored or edited several books including the Oxford Companion to Canadian Literature, the Oxford Anthology of Canadian Literature and A Book of Canada. He has written several children's books. In 1993 he was made a member of the

Order of Canada The Order of Canada () is a Canadian state order, national order and the second-highest Award, honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit. To coincide with the Canadian Centennial, ce ...

which said in its award that Toye "has been a highly regarded editor and publisher, well-liked by writers for his patience, fine judgement, tact and unerring taste. An award-winning children's author, he was also one of the founders of The Tamarack Review, where he was influential for many years in the development and encouragement of new Canadian talent." Toye died in

Toronto, Ontario Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

on May 1, 2024, at the age of 97.

Works

* ''A Picture History of Canada'' (1956) by Clarke Hutton ontributor, also Ivon Owen* ''The St. Lawrence'' (1959) * ''A Book of Canada'' (1962) * ''The Mountain Goats of Temlaham'' (1969) with

Elizabeth Cleaver Elizabeth Ann Mrazik Cleaver (February 7, 1939 – July 27, 1985) was a Canadian illustrator and writer of children's books. For her contribution as a children's illustrator she was a highly commended runner-up for the biennial, international Hans ...

* ''How Summer Came to Canada'' (1969) with Elizabeth Cleaver * ''Cartier discovers the St. Lawrence'' (1970) * ''Supplement to the Oxford companion to Canadian history and literature'' (1973) * ''Toronto'' (1975) by John de Visser ontributor* ''Simon and the Golden Sword'' (1976) by Frank Newfeld ontributor, also Kevin W. Macdonald* ''The Loon's Necklace'' (1977) with Elizabeth Cleaver * ''The fire stealer'' (1979) with Elizabeth Cleaver * ''The Oxford Anthology of Canadian literature'' (1981) with Robert Weaver * ''The Oxford Companion to Canadian Literature'' (1983) with Eugene Benson, 2nd edition, 1997 * ''City light: a Portrait of Toronto'' (1983) * ''Letters of Marshall Mcluhan, 1911-1980'' (1987) with Corinne McLuhan & Mattie Molinaro * ''The concise Oxford companion to Canadian literature'' (2001) * ''William Toye on Canadian literature'' (2005) Source:

References

External links

Toye speaking on Canadian Book Design
* Archives of William Toy
(Wiiliam Toye fonds, R8606)
are held at

Library and Archives Canada Library and Archives Canada (LAC; ) is the federal institution tasked with acquiring, preserving, and providing accessibility to the documentary heritage of Canada. The national archive and library is the 16th largest library in the world. T ...

1926 births 2024 deaths 20th-century Canadian novelists Canadian male novelists Novelists from Toronto Members of the Order of Canada {{Canada-writer-stub