Herman Voaden's contribution to the artistic life of Canada has been enormous and multifaceted. Since the early 1920s he has served the arts, especially the theater, as teacher, editor, director, and playwright. During the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s he participated in several strategic arts organizations, and in 1970 he was elected fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, followed by an appointment as member of the Order of Canada in 1974. He was awarded an LL.D. by St. Mary's University in 1988, and in 1989 he received the diplôme d'honneur from the Canadian Conference of the Arts. His alma mater, Queen's University, made him alumnus of the year for 1989.

Voaden, the third child of Dr. Arthur Voaden and Louisa Bale Voaden, was born in London, Ontario. After primary and secondary school education in London, he graduated from Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, in 1923 with a degree in English and history...