I live in the "provinces" (oh, so veddy British, no?) and while I have visited, I never lived in the big smoke (Fotherinham, I recall - but I don't live on the left coast either). My point is, I wasn't a Torontonian but I have known of, been a fan of, and have read Fulford since the late sixties.
He was a great writer; sometimes very tongue-in-cheek, sometimes just a bit sarcastic, but always quality, quality.
I cannot tell you the last piece of his that I read but it was relatively recently and it lived up / down (depending on your view, of course) to his previous writings.
He will be missed.
On the other hand, Sir, I do believe that you have learned at his feet. Oh, not directly, but your inclinations are sometimes very tongue-in-cheek, sometimes just a bit sarcastic, but always quality, quality.
Thanks for this, Paul. I love your pieces on journalism and of people that have impressed or influenced or connected with you. In this case, wow… Fulford. In another era, when researching my Thesis, I remember coming across “yet another piece” by him on some topic wherein he perfectly discovered, captured, and explained something core and definitive about the Canadian identity and experience. Doesn’t matter what topic I was digging into, it seemed like I kept coming across him and being so struck by his perspective and insight and writing. I definitely used more than a few quotes from him in my research papers.
And Saturday Night Magazine. Thanks for not letting us forget this wonderful magazine. I discovered it in the mid-90s and just *needed* to subscribe to it. (It was in John Fraser’s hands by this time, when I discovered it, I believe.) I would devour almost every piece in every issue. Wish it, or something like it, still existed. Canada needs it and deserves it, I think. Maybe The Walrus? Not sure.
I am so happy you wrote this tribute to a person of such infinite curiosity and passion and enthusiasm. He was always worth reading and sometimes you had the special pleasure of a shared interest. Ah, you would say: he knows about them too! I am old enough to remember him and I thank you for remembering him.
I just read the piece on American draft dodgers and deserters - it was good, but I sure wish he had gone on to write about the rural ones. The perfect hippie storm - get away from the Vietnam war, go back to the land. There were lots of those - even more invisible in many ways. In any case, Fulford was one of the many reasons I stayed in Canada since the late 70s even though I was never dodging military service!
I live in the "provinces" (oh, so veddy British, no?) and while I have visited, I never lived in the big smoke (Fotherinham, I recall - but I don't live on the left coast either). My point is, I wasn't a Torontonian but I have known of, been a fan of, and have read Fulford since the late sixties.
He was a great writer; sometimes very tongue-in-cheek, sometimes just a bit sarcastic, but always quality, quality.
I cannot tell you the last piece of his that I read but it was relatively recently and it lived up / down (depending on your view, of course) to his previous writings.
He will be missed.
On the other hand, Sir, I do believe that you have learned at his feet. Oh, not directly, but your inclinations are sometimes very tongue-in-cheek, sometimes just a bit sarcastic, but always quality, quality.
Just a thought for you. And for Bob.
Oh come on, someone here has gotta spill on the young cultural figure.
I'm actually not 100% sure I remember it correctly, so I'll maintain the mystery. Somebody near my age, if I'm remembering it right.
David Frum? lol
Fulford was no fan of David Cronenberg. But no one would ever suggest Cronenberg was full of shit.
Might be referring to Jeff Wall, though he wasn't all that young when Fulford excoriated him.
Thanks for this, Paul. I love your pieces on journalism and of people that have impressed or influenced or connected with you. In this case, wow… Fulford. In another era, when researching my Thesis, I remember coming across “yet another piece” by him on some topic wherein he perfectly discovered, captured, and explained something core and definitive about the Canadian identity and experience. Doesn’t matter what topic I was digging into, it seemed like I kept coming across him and being so struck by his perspective and insight and writing. I definitely used more than a few quotes from him in my research papers.
And Saturday Night Magazine. Thanks for not letting us forget this wonderful magazine. I discovered it in the mid-90s and just *needed* to subscribe to it. (It was in John Fraser’s hands by this time, when I discovered it, I believe.) I would devour almost every piece in every issue. Wish it, or something like it, still existed. Canada needs it and deserves it, I think. Maybe The Walrus? Not sure.
I am so happy you wrote this tribute to a person of such infinite curiosity and passion and enthusiasm. He was always worth reading and sometimes you had the special pleasure of a shared interest. Ah, you would say: he knows about them too! I am old enough to remember him and I thank you for remembering him.
Is (are) there (a) published collection(s) of his columns / essays? Yes, I know I could Google it; just looking for recommendations.
He archived a bunch of columns, going right back to the beginning of his career, on his website. https://www.robertfulford.com/articles.html
I've heard good things about his last book, a collection from various sources. https://www.amazon.ca/life-Paragraphs-Essays-Robert-Fulford-ebook/dp/B08B7XSLQ8
Just ordered a signed HC edition of the book! Thanks again, Paul!
Thank you, Paul! I will read the columns, and order his book to read over Christmas (The Season Of Reading).
Thank you, Paul. A fitting tribute, and a reminder that Canadians can think. And that good writing matters. Bless you.
LOVED his work and share your fond memories of Saturday Night. We need something like it still.
Sad day; Fulford was a great writer, AND Canadian. Peter Marshall, in Oakville.
Oh I remember both Robert Fulford and Saturday Night... I am that old..... Saturday Night was well worth buying and reading.....
I just read the piece on American draft dodgers and deserters - it was good, but I sure wish he had gone on to write about the rural ones. The perfect hippie storm - get away from the Vietnam war, go back to the land. There were lots of those - even more invisible in many ways. In any case, Fulford was one of the many reasons I stayed in Canada since the late 70s even though I was never dodging military service!
Great piece Paul! I wasn’t a subscriber but did buy Saturday Night from time to time and the first thing I did was look for Fulford