PATRICK LANE was born in 1939 in Nelson, B.C. He has held a variety of jobs: labourer, cat skinner, truck driver, industrial first-aid man, salesman, office manager and industrial accountant. Much of his life has been spent as an itinerant poet, wandering three continents and many countries. In 1966 he co-established the publishing house Very Stone House. Patrick began writing full-time in 1971, and lived first in South America for two years and then for five years in Pender Harbour, B.C.

In 1978, Patrick embarked upon a series of residencies at Concordia University, University of Alberta, Saskatoon Public Library and the University of Toronto. He also taught at the University of Saskatchewan for six years.

Patrick has published thirteen volumes of poetry over the past thirty years. Significant titles include: Poems, New & Selected (1978); The Measure (1981); Old Mother (1983); A Linen Cow, A Caftan Magpie (1985); Selected Poems (1987); Milford & Me (1989), a collection of poems for children; Winter (1990); Mortal Remains (1992); and a collection of short fiction, How Do You Spell Beautiful (1992). His poetry and prose are widely anthologized, and his works have been published in over a dozen countries around the world.

Patrick’s many awards include the Governor General’s Award for Poetry (1979) and the Canadian Authors’ Association Award for Poetry (1988). He has received recognition from the Canada Council, the Ontario Arts Council, the Saskatchewan Arts Board and the Manitoba Arts Board. He co-wrote (with Lorna Crozier) the Nellie Award-winning radio script Chile. He has also received two National Magazine Awards.

Patrick is a member of ACTRA, the Writers’ Union of Canada, the League of Canadian Poets and the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild.

Patrick currently makes his home in Saanichton, B.C., with the poet Lorna Crozier. He has five children and two grandchildren.