“Who was Margaret Fairley?” someone might ask while gazing upon this bust. Margaret Fairley was more than just a name. She was a force. A woman who defied expectations and challenged norms. This Margaret Fairley Bust commemorates her life. It stands as a tribute to her unwavering commitment to social justice.
Margaret Adele Keeling Fairley was born in 1885 in Bradford. Bradford is in Yorkshire, UK. She was a writer, educator, and political activist. From 1936 until her death in 1968, she was a member of the Communist Party of Canada.
Fairley’s early life was marked by intellectual pursuits. She studied at Oxford. She achieved a “first” in English. This was at a time when universities didn’t always grant degrees to women. She became a tutor at St Hilda’s College.
In 1912, Fairley moved to Canada. She became an advisor to women students at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. She held this role for only a year. She married Barker Fairley. He was a fellow Yorkshireman and a professor of modern languages. The University of Alberta granted her a Bachelor of Arts degree. Later, the family moved to Toronto.
Fairley’s literary contributions are significant. Her first book was “Coleridge Poems, 1794-1807”. It included a biographical essay on Coleridge. She was also the editor of “New Frontiers”. This was a journal published by the Labor-Progressive Party of Canada. She authored “The Spirit of Canadian Democracy” in 1946. Also, she wrote “Selected Writings of William Lyon Mackenzie” in 1960.
Fairley moved in influential intellectual circles. She associated with historian Stanley Ryerson. She also knew poet Dorothy Livesay.
In 1949, Fairley faced political repercussions. While attending a conference in New York City, she was deported from the United States.
Margaret Fairley died in Toronto in 1968 at the age of 82. Her legacy lives on.
In 1972, the City of Toronto named a park after her. It is located at Brunswick Avenue and Ulster Street. The city installed a plaque with her name on a granite boulder. Later, family and friends raised funds for this bronze bust.
Her manuscripts are preserved. They are at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto. Her family also carries on her legacy. Her son-in-law is musician Ezra Schabas. Her grandson is academic William Schabas. Her granddaughter Margaret Schabas is also an academic.
This Margaret Fairley Bust serves as a reminder. It reminds us of her dedication to education, writing, and political activism. It symbolizes her fight for a better world. It is a tribute to a remarkable woman who left an indelible mark on Toronto and Canada. Take a moment to reflect on her life. Consider her contributions. Let Margaret Fairley’s spirit inspire you to pursue your passions. Let it inspire you to stand up for what you believe in.