Cyrus MacMillan

Born in Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, Cyrus Macmillan was a Canadian academic, writer, and public figure. He studied at McGill University, later earned a Ph.D. from Harvard, and went on to teach English at McGill, building a career that linked scholarship with public life.

As a writer, he became known for books that gathered and retold Canadian fairy tales, folktales, and stories for younger readers. Works associated with him include Canadian Wonder Tales, Canadian Fairy Tales, and Glooscap's Country and Other Indian Tales, which helped introduce many readers to stories rooted in Canadian places and traditions.

Macmillan also served in politics and public service, but his lasting appeal for many readers comes from the way he helped shape an early sense of Canadian literature for children and general audiences. His books reflect a strong interest in folklore, education, and the idea that Canada's stories were worth preserving and sharing.