Shaunt Basmajian
Shaunt Basmajian (30 September 1950 – 25 January 1990) was a Canadian poet and author.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon to Armenian parents, Basmajian emigrated to Canada when he was seven years old. He was a founder of the Canadian Poetry Association, co-founder of Old Nun Publications (with Ted Plantos), and was a member of the Parliament Street Library poetry group.[1] The Shaunt Basmajian Chapbook Award, given annually to a Canadian poet, was established in his memory. The contest ran from 1996–2008.
In 1986, he was attacked with a knife and robbed while he was driving a taxi. His right lung was punctured when a robber stabbed him. He died one year later when his heart lining collapsed.[2]
Bibliography
- 1982:Surplus Waste and Other Poems
- 1985:Poets Who Don't Dance 1985[3]
- 1988:Biased Analogies
See also
References
- ↑ "Shaunt Basmajian won acclaim as poet". The Toronto Star. 29 January 1990. pp. A.16. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
- ↑ Thomas, Jocko (19 September 1986). "Cab driver's lung punctured in $80 Scarborough holdup". The Toronto Star. p. A.8. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
- ↑ McAllister, Lesley (27 December 1986). "Heading straight for the heart of it (Review of Poets Who Don't Dance )". The Toronto Star. p. G.19. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
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