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Author of By the Ghost Light examines the human cost of war
You might know him best as Matthew Cuthbert in 'Anne With an E'—but award-winning Canadian stage and screen actor R. H. Thomson is also a passionate historian-storyteller with an extraordinary tale to tell.
Using his family letters as the starting point in his acclaimed book, By the Ghost Light, he reveals how his childhood was shaped by the spirits of real-life warriors in his family. These war letters offer profound insight into life and death on the front lines and are a sombre record of the sacrifice Thomson's family, like so many others, paid.
In conversation with award-winning author and journalist Ian Brown, Thomson explores the stories that shape us and the reach the past can have across generations. Touching on military history, art, literature, and science to express the tragic human cost of war, Thomson offers a powerful examination of how we understand war and its aftermath—and ultimately challenges how we approach our history. Join us for a thought-provoking and memorable evening.
A Different Drummer Books will be onsite selling the book for signing after the talk.
Presented in partnership with Penguin Random House Canada and A Different Drummer Books
Borrow By the Ghost Light from our collection
With a highly acclaimed career spanning five decades, Robert Holmes Thomson has appeared in film and theatre across Canada. As well as being an advocate for the arts, R.H. has worked on many history/arts projects. For the First World War Centenary, he built The World Remembers, an international commemoration exhibit at the Canadian War Museum. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and was awarded the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement.
Ian Brown is an award-winning author and a feature writer for The Globe and Mail. He began life as a business reporter at the Financial Post and Maclean's Magazine. He has founded a publishing company, Invisible Books, an online magazine, Open Letters, and worked in radio at the CBC and NPR. He is a winner of numerous National Newspaper and National Magazine Awards.
If you need an accessibility accommodation during this program, please register early so we can confirm arrangements a few days before your visit.
Central Library is the largest location and houses historical and special collections, a computer lab, meeting rooms for public rental, and departments responsible for system-wide library services support. Burlington Public Library is a tax-supported registered charitable organization.
