The Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence , formerly known as the Arthur Ellis Awards , are a group of Canadian literary awards, presented annually by the Crime Writers of Canada for the best Canadian crime and mystery writing published in the previous year. The award is presented during May in the year following publication.
8-482: Originally, the awards were named for Arthur Ellis, the pseudonym of several of Canada's official hangmen, the first and most famous being Arthur B. English . The award statuette was designed by actor and theatre designer Peter Blais . In 2021 the Crime Writers of Canada announced that they were retiring Arthur Ellis's name from the awards, renaming them to their current name. First awarded in 2007 as part of
16-511: Is referenced in the novella The Hangman by Canadian crime writer (and two-time Arthur Ellis Award winner) Louise Penny . In 2009 Alexander English/Ellis featured in a documentary entitled the Hangman's Graveyard . The film follows an archaeological investigation into a forgotten cemetery at Toronto's old Don Jail . Two of the individuals featured in the film were executed by English/Ellis. Canadian heavy metal band Hangman's Graveyard (band)
24-557: The CWC mandate to recognize and promote the careers of promising new crime writers. This is a special achievement award for contributions to the genre of crime and mystery writing, awarded at the discretion of the president of the Crime Writers of Canada. When first presented in 1984, it was known as the Chairman's Award; it was later renamed in honour of its first recipient, Derrick Murdoch. Since 2013, it has only been presented in years when
32-506: The fall of New France was hanging . In his capacity as official executioner, English adopted the surname of the famous English executioner, John Ellis , as a pseudonym. English's career as Canada's professional hangman ended in ignominy following the botched execution of Tommasina Teolis, who had been convicted of hiring two hit men to kill her husband, at Bordeaux Prison in Montreal on 28 March 1935. The long drop method of hanging
40-455: The new biennial Grand Master Award, listed below, is not presented. The Grand Master Award is presented every two years as a lifetime achievement award , to a crime writer with a distinguished and successful national and international career. The award for Best Genre Criticism or Reference has only been presented twice. The award for Best Play has only been presented once. Arthur B. English Alexander Armstrong English (he used
48-480: The pseudonym Arthur Ellis ; 1864/1865 – 21 July 1938) was a British national who was the official hangman of Canada between 1912 and 1935. It is estimated he carried out more than 600 hangings in all of Canada's provinces and incorporated territories. English began his role as the assistant to John Radclive , a 20-year veteran of Canadian hangings. The only official method of capital punishment in Canada since
56-610: The public could still attend upon invitation from the prison or provincial authorities. This was ended following the beheading of Teolis. Three years later, English died in poverty in Montreal on 21 July 1938. He was buried at the Mount Royal Cemetery . The Crime Writers of Canada present annual literary awards, which were known as the Arthur Ellis Awards from 1984 until 2020. English's career
64-445: Was used, where the condemned would be executed by the weight of their body snapping their neck after they fell through the gallows' trap door. However, English used a miscalculation for Teolis' weight, which resulted in her dropping too far and being decapitated. This shocking event led to a public outcry that permanently ended English's career. Although since 1 January 1870, all executions in Canada were conducted in private, members of
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