Isabella Valancy Crawford

and

Isabella Valancy Crawford 1850-1887

There are two plaques about this woman.
The first is in the County of Bruce.
The second is in the County of Peterborough.
Both can be seen on this page.

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2005

Photo Source - Wikipedia Commons

Plaque Location

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

Coordinates: N 44 18.367 W 81 16.337

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.

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2009

Photo Source - Wikimedia Commons

Plaque Location

The County of Peterborough
The City of Peterborough
Near the Otonabee River in Scott Plains Park
between Charlotte and King Streets

Coordinates: N 44 18.178 W 78 19.009

Plaque Text

Irish-born, Isabella Crawford came to Canada as a young girl and eventually settled in Peterborough. Following her father's death in 1875 she supported her family through writing, and published articles, fiction and poetry in Toronto and New York journals. She later moved to Toronto to further her career and there gained modest success. Although largely unknown in her short lifetime, her reputation has steadily grown so that she is considered to be one of the finest Canadian poets of her generation. She is best remembered for her long poems "Malcolm's Katie" and "Old Spookses' Pass".

Related Toronto plaque
Isabella Valancy Crawford (1850-1887)

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