Charles Lillard

Charles "Red" Lillard (February 26, 1944 – March 27, 1997) was an American-born poet and historian who spent much of his adult life in British Columbia and became a Canadian citizen in 1967. He wrote extensively about the history and culture of British Columbia, Southeast Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

Early life and education

Lillard was born in Long Beach, California and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska. His parents made a living from fishing. Lillard attended the University of British Columbia, earning a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts.

Career Lillard published several books of poetry; his work was also included in literary publications and anthologies. His collection Shadow Weather was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award. His book Seven Shillings a Year: the History of Vancouver Island won a BC Book Award in 1986. Lillart also wrote many stories of his travels and experiences in an informal style; he has been criticized for including names of people in his reminiscences without explaining who they were.

In 1978, 1979, and 1981 Lillard was co-editor (with Robin Skelton) of three themed issues, "The West Coast Renaissance" of the literary magazine The Malahat Review. (nominated for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize)

Non-fiction Seven Shillings a Year - 1986 Fernwood Files - 1989 (with J. Ellis) The Brother, XII, B.C. Magus: A Quest for The Brother, XII - 1989 (with Ron MacIsaac and Don Clark) Land of Destiny - 1991 (with Michael Gregson) Just East of Sundown - 1995 A Voice Great Within Us: The Story of Chinook - 1998 (with Terry Glavin)

Anthologies In the Wake of the War Canoe - 1981 Dreams of Freedom: Bella Coola, Cape Scott, Sointula - 1982 Warriors of the North Pacific: Missionary Accounts of the Northwest Coast, The Skeena and Stikine Rivers, and the Klondike, 1829-1900 - 1984 Nootka - 1986 The Ghostland People - 1989 The Call of the Coast - 1992