My great grandfather was writer Peter McArthur. He was born in Ekfrid Township, near Glencoe, Ontario. After studying at The University of Toronto, he moved to New York in 1890 to work as a freelance writer. In 1902 he moved to London, England where he worked as an editor. Returning to his birthplace in 1908, he wrote a twice weekly column for the Toronto Globe from 1909-1924. He also contributed to the Farmer’s Advocate from 1910-1922. His first book, To Be Taken with Salt: Being an Essay on Teaching One’s Grandmother to Suck Eggs was published in 1903. He went on to publish several novels, short story collections, poetry, a study of Stephen Leacock, and a biography of Sir Wilfred Laurier.
“A satirist is a man who discovers unpleasant things about himself and then says them about other people.” -Peter McArthur
Happy to read your article. My grandmother was Minnie McArthur (Murray) born in Ontario then moved to Rossburn MB. My mother said Peter was a cousin to her mother? My mother had In Pastures Green but gave it to my brother and it got lost, but in a bookstore in Brandon MB I came across Around Home signed to his father’s friend W.O. Carson Oct. 1925. So I bought it just copying info to send to family if they want to do a research project for school. Nice to connect with you.
Hi Janet. It’s lovely to hear from you. I attended a celebration of Peter’s writings in 2014 at Doon Pioneer Village with my family. My dad John (Peter’s grandson through Ian McArthur) has done extensive genealogical research on the McArthur family, so I will pass your comment along to him; I’m sure he will enjoy it!
Hi All:
During Covid I started working on our McArthur family history and am finding this information very interesting. I’m married to Kenneth Douglas McArthur and his father was Robert Alexander McArthur 1912-1990 and than Robert (Bob) father was Donald (Dan, Daniel) McArthur 1879-1928. Mostly from Caradoc Township and the town of Strathroy. Is there a family connection?
Ken & I have three children: Kenneth, Andrew, and Lorraine.