Congratulations to University of Ottawa Common Law Alumnus Mark Bourrie, JD 2017, on being shortlisted for the prestigious 2020 RBC Taylor Prize. The RBC Taylor Prize was first awarded in 2000, making this year its twentieth anniversary. The Prize honours excellence in literary non-fiction and is awarded to the author whose book best displays elegant style, command of the English language and subtlety of thought and perception. The shortlist was announced by Margaret Atwood at a media conference in January 2020. The finalists were selected from a longlist of 12 books, selected from 155 submissions.
Mr. Bourrie has been selected as one of five finalists for this year’s RBC Taylor Prize for his book Bush Runner: The Adventures of Pierre-Esprit Radisson, which connects Canadian fur traders with European Royal Courts and incorporates Indigenous politics and family alliances between the Five Nations and French Settlers.
Mr. Bourrie is a lawyer, blogger, journalist, historian and university lecturer. He received both a doctorate in Canadian media history and a law degree from the University of Ottawa. He is a very accomplished author and has written many non-fiction books.
The winner of this year’s RBC Taylor Prize will be announced on March 2 at a gala luncheon in Toronto.
Congratulations to Mr. Bourrie on this achievement!