Gabrielle Roy National Historic Person (1909-1983)
© Library and Archives Canada
Gabrielle Roy was designated a national historic person in 2009.
Historical importance: Her mastery of the art of story-telling, her profound humanity, and her limpid prose have assured her an enduring place in the literary landscape
Commemorative plaque 1: 375 Deschambault Street, St. Boniface, ManitobaFootnote 1
Gabrielle Roy
Gabrielle Roy's first novel, The Tin Flute (1945), brought her immediate recognition as an important writer and a pioneer of social realism in Quebec. Subsequent works sensitively explored universal themes through descriptions of the immigrant experience and her years in the Franco-Manitoban community, establishing her reputation for masterful storytelling, clear prose, and a profound humanity. All her life, Roy remained attached to this simple, welcoming family home – a typical middle-class residence built in 1905 – where she was born and lived until 1937. With its vibrant world of people and events, this house, now a national historic site, was often described and idealized in her writing, especially in Street of Riches (1955).
Commemorative plaque 2: Parc du Bonheur D'occasion - 506 Rose de Lima Street, Montréal, QuebecFootnote 1
Gabrielle Roy
Gabrielle Roy distinguished herself as a pioneer of social realism in Quebec with the publication of her first novel, The Tin Flute (1945). Inspired by the impoverished neighbourhood of Saint-Henri, it presented a harshly realistic picture of the lives of many urban French Canadians. Her subsequent works sensitively explored universal themes through descriptions of the immigrant experience and her years in Manitoba’s Francophone community. Roy’s masterful storytelling, clear prose, and profound humanity have assured her an enduring place in the Canadian literary landscape.
The National Program of Historical Commemoration relies on the participation of Canadians in the identification of places, events and persons of national historic significance. Any member of the public can nominate a topic for consideration by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
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