Publishing books and periodical articles under the
pen-name Janey Canuck (as well as under variations of her
own name such as, Emilie Ferguson, Mrs. Arthur Murphy, Mrs.
Emily Murphy, and Judge Emily Murphy), Emily Murphy was a
popular and well-known Canadian writer, who was long active
in Canada's literary scene.
Her literary accomplishments were not limited to writing.
Murphy also worked as an editor and book reviewer, and was
known to drop a line of encouragement to young or developing
writers. One of the positive reviews that Janey Canuck wrote
was for Nellie McClung's book Three Times and Out. Published
in 1918, the book tells the story of a Canadian soldier's
three attempts to escape from Germany. Murphy was a prolific
book reviewer. In fact, in 1907, she reviewed 190 books in a
period of nine months.
Murphy's political aspirations were never far from the
forefront and in a 1926 speech to the Ottawa Women's Press
Club, she encouraged women to strive to keep "obscene
literature" out of Canada.
Emily Murphy's formal memberships and literary
involvements include:
- Literary editor of Canada Monthly, 1902-4
- Literary editor of Winnipeg Telegram, 1904-12
- President, Canadian Women's Press Club, 1913-1920
- (Honorary President, 1920-23; Historian, 1926-29)
- Honorary Secretary for Canada of the Society of Woman
Journalists of England, 1913-25
- Member of the Imperial Press Conference, 1920
- Councilor of Canadian Author's Association, 1921-27
|