There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation when we asked Maryann Thomas, owner and publisher of Ginger Press, who her favourite Canadian authors were. Having published his D.B. Murphy detective series, Richard Thomas was the first writer that popped into her mind.
D.B. Murphy may be a well-known character to the readers of Owen Sound and the surrounding Grey & Bruce County area, but it’s Richard himself, the man behind his case-cracking protagonist, who is beloved in the community.
As we were leaving the library after talking with Richard, we ran into a group of kids arriving there. Like they would greet a teacher they see everyday, they said, “Hi, Mr. Thomas,” as they flew up the stairs in excitement.
“Everybody knows me here,” said Thomas. “I have been a long-time fixture here at the Owen Sound & North Grey Public Library. I was chair of the board for three years and on the board for seven.”
Thomas’ contributions to the community involve supporting literacy by raising funds for the Adult Learning Centre, which is part of the library. Also, on October 23rd, he will be defending Terry Griggs’ novel, Rogues’ Wedding, for the Georgian Bay Reads program.
Just as he is an integral part of this cozy community, its members themselves are part of his narratives. To raise the pledges he needed to take part in the Novel Marathon for Literacy Contest, Thomas sold characters to individuals who would agree to let him use their name and some of their characteristics. The one catch was that he be allowed to do what he wanted with them in his stories.
Richard’s spirit envelopes the city, leaving a permanent mark on its real and imaginary landscape. Simply put, Owen Sound wouldn’t be the same place without him.
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Check out the Videos section of the Owen Sound scrapbook to hear Thomas discuss Owen Sound pre-1900.
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