Historica Canada releases new Heritage Minute on Canadian literary icon Lucy Maud Montgomery

TORONTO – MARCH 8, 2018 To mark International Women’s Day, Historica Canada released a new Heritage Minute that tells the story of Anne of Green Gables author Lucy Maud Montgomery in her own words, as drawn from her journals. The Minute explores Montgomery’s struggle with mental illness and social conventions of the early 20th century as she faces rejection from publishers who send back her manuscript.

Though initially rejected by five publishers, Montgomery’s best-known novel, Anne of Green Gables, has remained in print for more than a century. It’s central character, Anne Shirley, is an icon of Canadian culture. To this day, thousands of tourists from around the world flock to Prince Edward Island to see the sites relating to Anne of Green Gables.

L.M. Montgomery wrote 20 novels in her lifetime. Her work has been adapted into at least 36 languages, has sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide, and has inspired many popular film, television, and theatre adaptations.

“Lucy Maud Montgomery exemplified the importance of determination,” said Anthony Wilson-Smith, President and CEO of Historica Canada. “While millions are familiar with Anne of Green Gables, the obstacles she had to overcome to become a successful author aren’t nearly as well known or understood. We hope this new Heritage Minute will change that.” 

“This new Minute presents a sensitive, evocative interpretation of my famous grandmother, L.M. Montgomery,” said Kate MacDonald Butler. “I’m so pleased that she will be introduced to a whole new generation on International Women’s Day.”

The “L.M. Montgomery” Heritage Minute can be shared and embedded through this link.

For more information about Lucy Maud Montgomery’s life and legacy, see here.

This Heritage Minute was produced by Historica Canada and Route Eleven and filmed on Prince Edward Island and in Ontario. It was written and directed by Stephen Dunn (Closet Monster). The Heritage Minutes are made possible through funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Historica Canada offers programs that you can use to explore, learn, and reflect on our history, and what it means to be Canadian.