UWindsor professor emeritus Alistair MacLeodA colleague described UWindsor professor emeritus Alistair MacLeod, who died Sunday, April 20, as a “national treasure.”

Professor emeritus Alistair MacLeod remembered as “national treasure”

UWindsor professor emeritus Alistair MacLeod, who died Sunday, April 20, is remembered by colleagues as a caring educator as well as one of Canada’s greatest authors.

“Alistair MacLeod was a national treasure,” says Karl Jirgens, acting head of the Department of English Language, Literature and Creative Writing. “He will be sorely missed.”

Dr. MacLeod served as the University of Windsor’s 50th anniversary writer in residence, after a literary career that included his acclaimed 1999 novel No Great Mischief—winner of the 2001 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, the Trillium Book Award and the Lannan Literary Award—as well as the short story collections The Lost Salt Gift of Blood (1976), As Birds Bring Forth the Sun and Other Stories (1986), and Island (2000).

Dr. Jirgens says MacLeod was dedicated to encouraging students.

“Alistair generously made time for all those who wished to speak to him about writing and literature,” he says. “He will continue to serve as a profound inspiration to all who admire great stories and the shaping powers of literature.”

In 2007, MacLeod was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honour, in recognition of his commitment to Canadian literature and influence on Canadian authors. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2000.

For funeral arrangements, read his obituary online.