Stephen Butler Leacock was an influential figure known for his wit and literary contributions. Born as the third child in a family of eleven, he faced numerous challenges from a young age. Despite these hardships, he carved out a successful career in both academia and literature, leaving behind an enduring legacy of humor and insight.

Early Life and Family Challenges

Leacock was born into a large family, with his father Peter being a rootless and unsuccessful man. Seeking a better life, the family emigrated from England to Canada in 1876, settling on a farm near Lake Simcoe in Ontario. This farm, however, was a place of toil and financial struggle, where Leacock and his siblings labored under difficult conditions. In 1878, when Stephen was only about nine, his father abandoned the family in a futile quest for fortune out west. By the time Leacock reached his late teens, his father had vanished completely, leaving no trace.

Education and Early Career

Despite these early setbacks, Stephen's mother was resolute in her desire to see her children educated. Her efforts bore fruit when Stephen enrolled at Upper Canada College in Toronto in 1882, where he discovered his passion for writing and became coeditor of the school paper. A partial scholarship allowed him to begin studies at the University of Toronto in 1887, focusing on modern languages and literature. Financial pressures at home, however, forced him to withdraw after a year, prompting him to take on work to support his family. In 1889, he began teaching languages at Upper Canada College while continuing his studies part-time, eventually earning his bachelor's degree with honors in 1891.

Writing Aspirations and Influences

Leacock's early career was marked by a growing interest in supplementing his income through writing. He started submitting articles to various magazines, achieving minor success that bolstered his confidence. By the 1890s, he was spending summers in Orillia, a village by Lake Simcoe that inspired the fictional town of Mariposa in his later work, "Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town" (1912).

Academic Pursuits and Marriage

Alongside his writing, Leacock developed a keen interest in economics and political science. He was particularly influenced by Thorstein Veblen's "The Theory of the Leisure Class," leading him to pursue graduate studies at the University of Chicago in 1899. That same year, he married Beatrix Hamilton, an aspiring actress. His academic journey continued with an adjunct lecturer position at McGill University, which became a pivotal chapter in his life. After earning his Ph.D. in 1903, he joined the full-time faculty and by 1908, he was a full professor and chair of the department of economics and political science, a position he held for over thirty years.

Humor and Public Speaking

Leacock's reputation as a humorist began to take shape around 1905. As a political conservative, he embarked on public lectures, discussing the British Empire's state with clarity and wit. His eloquence earned him a government-sponsored lecture tour promoting British imperialism, showcasing his ability to captivate audiences.

Literary Success and Recognition

Throughout the early 20th century, Leacock contributed humorous pieces to magazines like New York's "Truth" and "Life." In 1910, he self-published "Literary Lapses," a collection of his works that attracted the attention of a British publisher. This marked the beginning of his successful career as a humorist, with pieces like "My Financial Career" and "The Awful Fate of Melpomenus Jones" gaining popularity.

Peak of Literary Career

Leacock's literary output over the next thirty years was prolific, though critics often regard his early works as his best. "Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town" emerged as a masterpiece, followed by "Arcadian...