About John Terpstra
Born 1953. John Terpstra is a Canadian poet.
John Terpstra (born in Brockville, Ontario) is a Canadian poet and carpenter.
During much of his childhood, he lived in Edmonton, Alberta, but moved back to Ontario to attend high school in Hamilton, where he lives today.
Released a spoken-word recording of his poems in 2000, called "Nod Me In, Shake Me Out", with composer, arranger and producer Bart Nameth, violinist Hugh Marsh, and others.
Education Trinity Christian College, Chicago University of Toronto
Awards and recognition 1988: Bressani Prize, "Forty Days and Forty Nights" 1992: CBC Radio Literary Competition, "Captain Kintail" 2004: poetry finalist, Governor General's Awards, Disarmament 2006: finalist, Charles Taylor Prize, BC Award for Canadian Non-fiction, The Boys, or Waiting for the Electrician's Daughter 2024: The degree of Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa), Knox College (Toronto, Canada)
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Important facts
People in John Terpstra's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who is John Terpstra?
Canadian poet
When was John Terpstra born?
John Terpstra was born in 1953.
What is John Terpstra's occupation?
John Terpstra is a poet.
What nationality is John Terpstra?
John Terpstra is Canadian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Terpstra. https://biography.guide/john-terpstra/
MLA: "John Terpstra." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-terpstra/.
Chicago: "John Terpstra." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-terpstra/.
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