Edward O. Phillips


Edward Openshaw Phillips was a Canadian novelist, who has written both mystery novels and mainstream literary fiction. He was best known for his mystery novel series featuring gay detective Geoffrey Chadwick.

Biography

Phillips lived most of his life in Westmount, Quebec. He earned a law degree from the Université de Montréal in 1956, but decided against legal practice. He subsequently graduated from Harvard University with a master's degree in teaching, and later earned a second master's degree in English Literature from Boston University. After teaching school for seven years, first in the public English school system and then at Selwyn House School, he pursued a long-time interest in painting. His work was exhibited in five one-man and numerous group shows.
His first novel, Sunday's Child, was published in 1981, and was shortlisted for the Books in Canada First Novel Award. Phillips won the Arthur Ellis Award in 1987 for his novel Buried on Sunday, and was shortlisted for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour in 1989 for his novel Hope Springs Eternal. His short story "Matthew and Chauncy" was adapted by Anne Claire Poirier into the 1990 film Salut Victor.
He was out as gay. His partner, Kenneth Woodman, predeceased him in 2018.

Works