Duncan Thornton
Encyclopedia
Duncan Thornton is a Canadian
author, speaker, and futurist. He was born in God's Lake Narrows, Manitoba, where his father served as minister in the United Church of Canada
. The family moved to Winnipeg
a few years later. At the age of the 13 he dropped out of school, but 20 he enrolled as a mature student at the University of Saskatchewan
in Saskatoon
. He went on to graduate from the University of Winnipeg
(BA, hon.s in English and History). He also did graduate work in English at both Concordia University in Montreal and the University of Manitoba
. He currently lives in Winnipeg with his wife, author Brenda Hasiuk, and their two children.
Thornton was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis
in 2009. In March 2010, Thornton visited the EuroMedic clinic in Katowice
, Poland, to became one of the first Canadians treated for CCSVI, a vascular problem common in MS patients first described by Dr. Paolo Zamboni
. He has spoken frequently in the media about CCSVI and his experience with its treatment, and was one of the founders of CCSVI Manitoba, a group that advocates for access to CCSVI testing and treatment for Manitobans with Multiple Sclerosis.
, was nominated for the 2000 Governor General's Award
for Children's Literature.
The sequel, Captain Jenny and the Sea of Wonders (2001) was a counterpart inspired by classic literature of Old World
exploration.
The final book in the series, The Star-Glass (2003), won the 2004 McNally Robinson
Book Prize for Young People.
Shadow-Town (2008) his first novel in several years, is the first of a new four-book sequence called “The Vastlands.”
’s innovative New Media Program. These experiences led to a second career as a lecturer and columnist on technology trends.
Thornton was also the 2004-2005 Writer-in-Residence for the Winnipeg Public Library
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
author, speaker, and futurist. He was born in God's Lake Narrows, Manitoba, where his father served as minister in the United Church of Canada
United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada is a Protestant Christian denomination in Canada. It is the largest Protestant church and, after the Roman Catholic Church, the second-largest Christian church in Canada...
. The family moved to Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
a few years later. At the age of the 13 he dropped out of school, but 20 he enrolled as a mature student at the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
in Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Saskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344....
. He went on to graduate from the University of Winnipeg
University of Winnipeg
The University of Winnipeg is a public university in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada that offers undergraduate faculties of art, business and economics, education, science and theology as well as graduate programs. The U of W's founding colleges were Manitoba College and Wesley College, which merged...
(BA, hon.s in English and History). He also did graduate work in English at both Concordia University in Montreal and the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
. He currently lives in Winnipeg with his wife, author Brenda Hasiuk, and their two children.
Thornton was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
in 2009. In March 2010, Thornton visited the EuroMedic clinic in Katowice
Katowice
Katowice is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, on the Kłodnica and Rawa rivers . Katowice is located in the Silesian Highlands, about north of the Silesian Beskids and about southeast of the Sudetes Mountains.It is the central district of the Upper Silesian Metropolis, with a population of 2...
, Poland, to became one of the first Canadians treated for CCSVI, a vascular problem common in MS patients first described by Dr. Paolo Zamboni
Paolo Zamboni
Paolo Zamboni is an Italian doctor and vascular surgeon who found in a preliminary study that in over 90% of the participants afflicted with Multiple sclerosis there were several problems in veins draining their brain, like stenosis or defective valves...
. He has spoken frequently in the media about CCSVI and his experience with its treatment, and was one of the founders of CCSVI Manitoba, a group that advocates for access to CCSVI testing and treatment for Manitobans with Multiple Sclerosis.
Novels
His first novel, Kalifax (1999), a Young-adult fiction fantasy described as a fairy-tale retelling of the search for the Northwest PassageNorthwest Passage
The Northwest Passage is a sea route through the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coast of North America via waterways amidst the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans...
, was nominated for the 2000 Governor General's Award
Governor General's Award
The Governor General's Awards are a collection of awards presented by the Governor General of Canada, marking distinction in a number of academic, artistic and social fields. The first was conceived in 1937 by Lord Tweedsmuir, a prolific author of fiction and non-fiction who created the Governor...
for Children's Literature.
The sequel, Captain Jenny and the Sea of Wonders (2001) was a counterpart inspired by classic literature of Old World
Old World
The Old World consists of those parts of the world known to classical antiquity and the European Middle Ages. It is used in the context of, and contrast with, the "New World" ....
exploration.
The final book in the series, The Star-Glass (2003), won the 2004 McNally Robinson
McNally Robinson
McNally Robinson Booksellers is a family-operated chain of Canadian independent bookstores founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1981. It is managed by Holly and Paul McNally and their daughter Victoria .- Overview :...
Book Prize for Young People.
Shadow-Town (2008) his first novel in several years, is the first of a new four-book sequence called “The Vastlands.”
Other works
Thornton was the founding editor of the electronic version of Canadian Materials, one of the first regular on-line publications in Canada. He also developed and led Red River CollegeRed River College
Red River College of Applied Arts, Science and Technology is located in Winnipeg. The College offers degree, diploma, certificate, and apprenticeship programs in the applied arts, applied sciences, and various trades. The university press, The Projector, is a member of CUP.-Campus:It has a number...
’s innovative New Media Program. These experiences led to a second career as a lecturer and columnist on technology trends.
Thornton was also the 2004-2005 Writer-in-Residence for the Winnipeg Public Library
Winnipeg Public Library
The Winnipeg Public Library is a public library service that is provided by the municipality of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Most branches provide programming for children, teens, and some to adults. The Library also contains an Outreach Department which works with the community, as well as people...
.