author
Frances Fenwick Williams
1878–1957
A sharp, funny Canadian writer, she brought a satirical eye to fiction and drama in the early 20th century. Her work is often remembered for its wit, feminist spirit, and lively take on social life.
1 Audiobook
The Arch-Satirist
by Frances Fenwick Williams
About the author
Born in Montreal in 1878, Frances de Wolfe Fenwick Williams was a Canadian author who published novels, a play, and shorter pieces in magazines and newspapers. Reliable reference sources connect her with an active writing career in the early decades of the 20th century, when her work appeared in both Canadian and international periodicals.
She is best known today for books including The Arch-Satirist and A Soul on Fire. Reference material from Simon Fraser University's Database of Canadian Early Women Writers describes her as a feminist with a feisty sense of humour, which fits the satirical reputation that follows her work.
Although some sources differ on details of her later life, the dates given here are 1878–1957. What comes through clearly is the personality on the page: lively, observant, and unafraid to poke fun at the world around her.