SOURCE: An interview in Canadian Literature, Nos. 68-69, Spring-Summer, 1976, pp. 40-8.

In the following interview, MacLennan discusses various influences on his writing.

[Sutherland]: How long have you been here in Quebec, Hugh?

[MacLennan]: I came to Quebec the fall of 1935 to teach for Lower Canada College and live in at $25.00 a week. I came late in the term, because they simply had to get somebody else, I suppose. And I've been permanently based in Montreal ever since then.

Did you come directly from the Maritimes?

Directly from Halifax. I did not have a job. I got my Doctor's degree at Princeton during the depths of the depression, and it was difficult to get any kind of job at that time. I was in Roman History and a Rhodes Scholar. Terry McDermott, who ended up as Ambassador and Commissioner at various places, was the secretary of the committee that...