John Barton (poet)



John Barton (born 1957) is a Canadian poet.

Life
John Barton was born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1957 but was raised in Calgary. He studied at the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Quebec, Victoria University, and Columbia University in New York.

He originally wanted to study architecture but did poorly in calculus and was enrolled in English courses in the Faculté Saint-Jean at the University of Alberta. He became a poet upon realization that there were fewer factors affecting his ability to excel in his chosen vocation.

In 1986, he graduated from the University of Western Ontario, with a Master of Library and Information Science. Also, Barton studied Book Editing at the Banff Publishing Centre in 1994.

Barton studied poetry with Eli Mandel, Gary Geddes, Robin Skelton, Joseph Brodsky, and Daniel Halpern. Since 1980 his poems have appeared in seventy-five magazines and thirty anthologies in North America, the United Kingdom, India, and Australia.

Barton was co-editor of Arc poetry magazine, from 1990 to 1995. He edits The Malahat Review and is poetry editor for Winnipeg's Signature Editions. He co-founded the Poem of the Year Contest in 1996. He was Writer-in-Residence at the Saskatoon Public Library. Additionally he worked as a librarian and editor for five museums in Ottawa. He has lived in Victoria, British Columbia since 2004.

Writing
PoetryReviews.ca: "Seminal: The Anthology of Canada’s Gay Male Poets'' is a terrific read. It showcases a wide array of talented works and an illuminating introduction. John Barton’s preface is a mini-thesis of Canadian poetic history blended with enlightening facts about being gay in Canada. It is described as comprehensive, educational and filled with interesting details."

Recognition

 * 1986 Patricia Hackett Prize, University of Western Australia
 * 1988 Archibald Lampman Award, for West of Darkness: Emily Carr, a self-portrait
 * 1995 Archibald Lampman Award, for Designs from the Interior
 * 1995 Ottawa Book Award
 * 1999 Archibald Lampman Award, for Sweet Ellipsis
 * 2003 CBC Literary Award (Second Prize)
 * 2006 National Magazine Award (Silver)

Poetry

 * "Days of 2004, Days of Cavafy", Drunken Boat



Criticism

 * "Trends in Canadian Poetry", Educational Insights, 11(1)