Don Kerr, Professor Emeritus of English, stands outdoors.

Bio/Historical Note: Image appeared in 1 Oct. 1999 issue of OCN.

Bio/Historical Note: Donald Cameron Kerr was born in 1936 in Saskatoon and educated at St. Joseph’s School, Nutana Collegiate and the University of Saskatchewan where he received a BA (Hons) in English in 1958. He earned an MA in English at the University of Toronto in 1960. Kerr taught at the U of S from 1960 to 1962, specializing in classes of drama and film. After two years in London, England, he returned to the U of S and taught until 2008. During his tenure Kerr was promoted from instructor to lecturer (1965), assistant professor (1966), associate professor (1976) and professor (1983). In addition to serving as acting chair of the department of English in 1985-1986, Kerr served on a number of departmental, college and university committees. In Kerr's literary career, 44-years as an English professor, former provincial poet laureate (2011-2012), historian, editor, and playwright, he authored five books of poetry, including his most musically notable compilation "Talkin Basie," based on the autobiography of the legendary jazzman Count Basie published in 1990. Kerr was recognized as one of the province's finest poets. He began publishing poetry in journals in the 1960s and had his first book of poems published in 1971. He had eight books of poetry published. Kerr had five plays produced, at 25th Street Theater, the Drama Department, the Roxy Theater and Persephone Theater. He also wrote plays for the Fringe and for CBC radio. Kerr received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2007, and the Saskatoon Musicians Association Kenny Shields Award for contributions to the professional arts in 2018. Kerr died in December 2020 in Saskatoon.