Jean Margaret Laurence (born as Jean Margaret Wemys) was one of Canada’s most beloved writers. She is best known for her Manawaka novels — The Stone Angel (1964), A Jest of God (1966), The Fire-dwellers (1969) and The Diviners (1974).
Margaret Laurence was born in the town of Neepawa, Manitoba, the inspiration for the town of Manawaka in her novels. She lived in Neepawa until she was 18.
In 1974 Laurence made her home in Lakefield, Ontario. She also bought a cabin on the Otonabee River near Peterborough.