Margaret Eleanor Atwood (born November 18, 1939) is a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, teacher, environmental activist, and inventor. She is best known for her works of fiction, including The Handmaid’s Tale and The Blind Assassin.

Margaret Atwood

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Early Life and Education

Atwood was born in Ottawa, Ontario, and grew up in northern Quebec and Toronto. She began writing at the age of six and developed a passion for literature early in life. Atwood attended the University of Toronto, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1961. She then pursued graduate studies at Radcliffe College of Harvard University, obtaining a master’s degree in 1962.

Literary Career

Poetry

Atwood’s literary career began with poetry. Her first collection, Double Persephone, was published in 1961. She has since published numerous poetry collections, including:

  • The Circle Game (1964)
  • Power Politics (1971)
  • Morning in the Burned House (1995)
  • Dearly (2020)

Novels

Atwood is renowned for her novels, which often explore themes of gender, identity, and power. Notable works include:

  • The Edible Woman (1969)
  • Surfacing (1972)
  • The Handmaid’s Tale (1985)
  • Alias Grace (1996)
  • The Blind Assassin (2000) – Winner of the Booker Prize
  • Oryx and Crake (2003)
  • The Testaments (2019) – Co-winner of the Booker Prize

Nonfiction

In addition to fiction and poetry, Atwood has authored several nonfiction works, such as:

  • Survival: A Thematic Guide to Canadian Literature (1972)
  • Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth (2008)

Activism and Advocacy

Atwood is a committed environmental activist and has been involved with organizations like BirdLife International and Amnesty International. Her writing often reflects her concerns about environmental issues and human rights.

Personal Life

Atwood was married to Jim Polk from 1968 to 1973. She later partnered with novelist Graeme Gibson, with whom she had a daughter, Eleanor Jess Atwood Gibson, in 1976. The family resided in Ontario, moving to Toronto in 1980. Gibson passed away in 2019.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her career, Atwood has received numerous awards and honors, including:

  • Governor General’s Award (1966, 1985)
  • Booker Prize (2000, 2019)
  • Arthur C. Clarke Award (1987)
  • Princess of Asturias Award for Literature (2008)

She has also been inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

Note: This post is based on publicly available information from Wikipedia.