Charles Torville

TORVILLE, Robert Charles Hollis (Charles) (1888–1971)
Writer

Charles Torville was born in Bournemouth, Hampshire England, he was the son of Rose Blanchard Torville and stableman father Robert Torville. His parents separated in 1897 and Charles was sent to an orphanage in London and there received a brief education.

In 1899 Charles was able to emigrate to Halifax and in 1910 took up a homestead in the Milestone district in Saskatchewan where he worked and wrote his poetry and songs, one can easily imagine him filling in empty winter evenings with words, seeking to find the magical combination that would bring him fame and fortune through songs and poetry. Charles Torville had many interests in life and searched for personal truth through mystic and secret societies such as the Order of the Eagle and the Lily and the Mystic Brotherhood University.

Charles wrote and published three volumes of poetry including "Song of my Soul" in 1965. He retired to Regina in 1966.

Upon his death he bequeathed $50,000 to the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus, which was used to establish the Torville Honour Scholarship, presented annually to a student majoring in English.

Archival Collections (Finding Aids in PDF format)

75-4 - Personal and Professional Papers. 1907-1969

2010-5 - Material relating to grain: the World’s Grain Exhibition and Conference, Receipts, Investment Returns, Canada Wheat Board Permits. 1933-1970