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Call Number: Mss 311 (A2009-14)
Title: Rudy Wiebe fonds.
Dates: 1985-1997.
Extent: 0.48 m of textual records.
Biographical sketch: Rudy Wiebe, a Canadian Mennonite writer and editor for NeWest Press, was born on October 4, 1934 in Speedwell, Saskatchewan. He devoted his literary career to protecting rights of minority groups in Canada. His stories deal with deep moral issues.
He received a B.A. (1956) from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Theology degree from the Mennonite Brethren Bible College in Winnipeg (1962). While an editor of Winnipeg Mennonite Brethren College Herald, he published his book titled Peace Shall Destroy Many. The book describes Mennonite life in the small rural towns of Western Canada. His book was the basis for his M.A. thesis which he completed in 1963.
In 1967, he began teaching creative writing at the University of Alberta. He published numerous articles, reviews, essays, anthologies, and film and television scripts. Wiebe's novels include First and Vital Candle (1966), Temptations of Big Bear (1973), A Discovery of Strangers (1994), Playing Dead: A Contemplation Concerning the Arctic (2003), and Hidden Buffalo (2006). For his literary work, he received the Governor General Award (1973, 1994) and the Order of Canada (2000).
Between 1985 and 1997, Rudy Wiebe served on the Board of Directors for NeWest Publishing Company. He was president and chairman from 1991 to 1997. NeWest Press, one of the most important literary presses in Canada, is a non-profit organization. This organization was established in 1977 in Edmonton and is directed by writers from western provinces.
Wiebe recently received the Charles Taylor Prize for his memoir of his childhood titled Of This Earth: A Mennonite Boyhood in the Boreal Forest.
Custodial history: The fonds was donated to University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections by Rudy Wiebe in 2009.
Scope and content: The fonds consists of NeWest Press' correspondence, executive meetings, minutes, financial statements, catalogues, press releases, and various announcements.
Restrictions: There are no restrictions on this material.
Finding aid: An online finding aid is available at the link below: