1874 - 1958
Robert W. Service was a British-Canadian poet and author born on January 16, 1874, in Preston, England. He is best known for his novels and poetry about the Yukon and the Klondike Gold Rush, particularly his ballads such as "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" and "The Cremation of Sam McGee." Service's vivid storytelling and memorable verse earned him the title of "Bard of the Yukon," and he remains a significant figure in Canadian literature.