Robert Thomas Allen

Robert Thomas Allen, born on January first, nineteen eleven, was a celebrated Canadian humorist renowned for his wit and charm. He gained prominence as a two-time recipient of the prestigious Stephen Leacock Award for humour, winning in nineteen fifty-seven for his work, The Grass Is Never Greener, and again in nineteen seventy-one for Wives, Children and Other Wild Life.

Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Allen embarked on his professional journey as an advertising writer for notable retailers such as Eaton's and Simpsons. His talent for humor found a wider audience through his freelance contributions to esteemed publications including Maclean's, Saturday Night, The Canadian, Weekend, and Star Weekly. Over the course of his career, he published a total of fourteen books, showcasing both compilations of his humorous essays and delightful works of children's literature.

In addition to his two Leacock Awards, Allen was honored with the Ruth Schwartz Award for children's literature in nineteen seventy-six for his enchanting book, The Violin. His influence extended beyond the written word; a recurring character in the work of Toronto Star editorial cartoonist Duncan Macpherson, depicted as a bespectacled 'average Canadian', was originally inspired by Allen himself.

After retiring, Allen relocated with his family to Sun City, California, in nineteen eighty-three. He passed away from a heart attack in San Bernardino in nineteen ninety, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and literary contributions that continue to resonate.