Beynon, Francis Marion (1884–1951)
Beynon, Francis Marion (1884–1951)
Canadian novelist, journalist and women's-rights activist. Name variations: F.M. Beynon. Born Francis Marion Beynon, 1884, in Ontario, Canada; grew up on a homestead near Hartney, Manitoba; died 1951; dau. of Ontario immigrant farmers; sister of activist Lillian Beynon Thomas (1874–1961).
Trained as a teacher but worked as a catalogue writer for T. Eaton Co.; with sister, formed the Quill Club (1908), a group of intellectuals and journalists; worked for women's suffrage and opposed conscription; became editor of the Women's Page for Grain Grower's Guide (1912), and was soon a prominent voice for the rights of rural women; with sister, friend Nellie McClung and others, helped form Political Equality League (1912); wrote Aleta Dey (1919), expressing opposition to militarism in Canadian life.
See also Wendy Lill (play) The Fighting Days (2004), which focuses on Beynon and Nellie McClung.