Francess Georgina Halpenny

Halpenny, Francess Georgina

Francess Georgina Halpenny, editor (b at Ottawa 27 May 1919). After studies in English at the University of Toronto, she began in 1941 her long association with U of T Press, interrupted only by service in the RCAF 1942-45. She headed the editorial department of UTP 1957-69 and then became general editor of the DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY, a joint UTP-Presses de l'U Laval project. While continuing as general editor, she was dean of the Faculty of Library Science at U of T 1972-78 and was appointed to the National Library Advisory Board in 1977, a board she chaired 1979-82. She was associate director (academic) of UTP 1978-84. Through these years she continued an interest in theatre as an actor and writer.

Indefatigable and unfailingly optimistic, she has encouraged scholarly publishing in Canada over 40 years by her teaching, writing, editorship of the DCB, and dedicated committee work at the national level. A member of the Royal Society of Canada, she was awarded the MOLSON PRIZE in 1983 and made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1984. Other honours include the U of T Faculty Award (1985) and the UBC Medal for Canadian Biography (1986). Since 1985 she has been associate editor of Scholarly Publishing.