The naturalist and writer Edgar Allardyce Wood, C.M., LL.D., 1907-1998, was born in New York, N.Y. to William Campbell Wood and Elizabeth Callon Wood. He used the pen-name Kerry Wood throughout his literary career. The family moved to various places in Ontario and the west before finally arriving in Calgary, Alberta, where Kerry Wood first started school. The family moved to Red Deer in 1918. Kerry Wood, known to family and friends as Nobby, joined the Alberta Natural History Society and the Boy Scouts shortly afterwards. In 1922, the family left for British Columbia. Kerry Wood, having decided to try his luck as a writer, remained behind in Red Deer. After many struggles, he was able to derive a meagre yet steady income out of his writing. During the early 1930s Kerry Wood was one of the few full-time freelance writers in Canada to survive solely on his writing income. In 1936, he married Marjorie Marshall, 1913- ; they had three children: Rondo, 1939- , Heather, 1943- , and Gregory, 1947- . In 1937 Kerry Wood started an archery business for extra income. His literary career took off after the publication of his first book, Three Mile Bend in 1945. It was the first of over 26 books. Kerry Wood was twice the recipient of the Governor-General's Medal for Juvenile Literature: in 1955 for The Map-Maker; and in 1957 for The Great Chief. In 1969, he received an honourary doctorate of laws from the University of Alberta for his contributions to literature in Alberta; and in 1990 he was made a Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian literature and for his ongoing philanthropy. Kerry Wood died and is buried in Red Deer. See also Biography of Kerry Wood / by Marjorie M. Wood. -- Red Deer, Alta. : Kerry Wood Nature Centre, 1995