Silver Donald Cameron

Silver Donald Cameron, born on June twenty-first, nineteen thirty-seven, was a distinguished Canadian journalist, author, playwright, and educator. His extensive body of work, comprising fifteen non-fiction books, delved into a variety of subjects including history, politics, education, and community development, all while emphasizing themes of social justice, nature, and the environment.

An enthusiastic sailor, Cameron's literary contributions included several works centered around maritime life. He authored a young adult novel and a thriller, both set against the backdrop of Nova Scotia, where he resided for over four decades. Notably, his books, The Education of Everett Richardson and The Living Beach, are celebrated as part of Atlantic Canada's one hundred greatest books.

Cameron's creative talents extended to the stage with his only play, The Prophet at Tantramar, which explored Leon Trotsky's confinement in a prisoner-of-war camp in Amherst, Nova Scotia. This work was also adapted into a radio drama, contributing to his impressive portfolio of over fifty radio dramas for CBC Radio and CBC Television. Additionally, he produced documentaries and narrated films for The Green Interview, including Bhutan: The Pursuit of Gross National Happiness and Salmon Wars: Salmon Farms, Wild Fish and the Future of Communities.

His prolific writing career included hundreds of magazine articles and columns in prominent publications such as The Globe and Mail and the Halifax Chronicle Herald. Cameron also served as a writer-in-residence at various universities in Nova Scotia and was the dean of the School of Community Studies at Cape Breton University, where he held the first Farley Mowat Chair in Environment. His teaching legacy includes positions at Dalhousie University, the University of British Columbia, and the University of New Brunswick.

In his later years, Cameron embarked on a project featuring video interviews with notable environmental thinkers and activists, showcased on The Green Interview website. His contributions to journalism and literature earned him numerous accolades, culminating in his appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada and a Member of the Order of Nova Scotia in two thousand twelve.