Maybe once in ten generations

"Maybe once in ten generations, you get a figure who is in the right place at the right time, who also has the necessary qualities to create something as profoundly important as Bob has done." -Janice Kulyk Keefer

Keefer is referring to Robert Weaver, who over half a century, as radio producer at the CBC and anthologist, nurtured and sustained three generations of Canadian writers. Among those he gave their earliest breaks to were Alice Laidlaw (who became Alice Munro), Mordecai Richler, Timothy Findlay, and Leonard Cohen.

On November 27 Robert Weaver: Godfather of Canadian Literature by Elaine Kalman Naves was launched at Montreal's Nicholas Hoare bookstore. In early February there will be a book launching and a tribute to Weaver in Toronto. Also in February, the CBC will be broadcasting two one-hour shows on Robert Weaver created by Elaine Kalman Naves.

Photo caption: Elaine Kalman Naves with retired CBC producer Ramona Randall who worked with Weaver. Behind Ramona is Word Bookstore co-owner Adrian King-Edwards and Bill Weintraub (sitting in the shadows). Photo by Jane Lewis.