LE3 .A278 1981

1981

Davies, Richard

Acadia University

Master of Arts

Masters

English

English & Theatre Studies

The Logan Papers, along with the Logan Collection of Canadian Literature, were given by J.D. Logan (1869-1929) to the Acadia University Library during the years 1918-26. They comprise much of Logan's correspondence, many of his own manuscripts, and, in addition, his valuable collection of the manuscripts of other Canadian writers. Since a thorough listing of the Logan Papers has never been made, this was a necessary preliminary to any use of the materials and to an accurate knowledge of Logan's writings and activities. The Checklist of the Logan Papers, with its Index, forms Part III of the thesis. Part I is devoted to a critical biography of Logan. His Nova Scotia Scots ancestry and his Dalhousie and Harvard education are discussed as formative influences. His academic career and early philosophical writings are treated as revelatory of intellectual and personal traits. The emergence of an interest in Canadian literature and early critical writings in the field are examined in this perspective and the course of Logan's opinions and experiences, culminating in his history of English-Canadian literature, Highways of Canadian Literature (1924), is discussed. Logan's eccentric and excitable temperament resulted in strained relations with the academic, literary and journalistic establishments of Canada. His chief contributions to Canadian letters are seen to be his efforts on behalf of the study of Canadian literature in schools and universities and his clear conception of the importance of Canadian literature to Canadians. Unfortunately, his actual literary criticism is of marginal interest, even when viewed historically. Part II of the thesis is comprised of two listings of Logan's various and extensive writings. The alphabetical listing is standard, but the chronological listing is a biographical aid, helpful in viewing the pattern of Logan's literary efforts.

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