Annie Charlotte Dalton

Annie Charlotte Dalton (December 9, 1865 - 1938) was an English-born Canadian poet.

Life
Annie Charlotte was born in Birkby, Huddersfield, England. By the age of 7 she was deaf. In 1901 she married Willie Dalton, and in 1904 the couple emigrated to Canada, settling in Vancouver. She began publishing poetry in 1910, and continued to produce collections until her death in 1938.

Writing
Her writing was much praised in her time. The critic Lionel Stephenson wrote that she was "constitutionally incapable of triteness." In 1938, E.J. Pratt called her "one of the best writers of the country." However, as her biographer Wanda Campbell points out: "The fact that nothing has been written about her work since her death in 1938 reveals that new generations of readers disagree." Campbell offers a more balanced judgement: "Her work is uneven but she is nonetheless intriguing in her efforts to make science and anthropology acceptable themes in poetry, and in her efforts to voice the challenges faced by the deaf."

Recognition
Dalton was a member of the Order of the British Empire, the only woman poet to be included at that time.

Publications

 * The Marriage of Music. Vancouver: Evans and Hastings, 1910.
 * Flame and Adventure. Toronto: Macmillan, 1924.
 * The Silent Zone. Vancouver: Cowan and Brookhouse, 1926.
 * The Ear Trumpet. Toronto: Ryerson, 1926.
 * The Amber Riders, and Other Poems. Toronto: Ryerson, 1929.
 * The Neighing North. Toronto: Ryerson, 1931.
 * Lilies and Leopards. Toronto: Ryerson, 1935.

Except where noted, bibliographical information courtesy Canadian Poetry.