By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Lennoxville native Ian McLeod, an accomplished author and former documentary filmmaker, shared his deep-rooted connection to the Eastern Townships in a July 24 interview about his latest novel, “The Dispossessed.” The book delves into the life of Donald Morrison, the notorious Megantic Outlaw, and captures a vivid portrayal of 19th-century Quebec.
Born and raised in Lennoxville, McLeod’s connection to the Eastern Townships runs deep. “My father and grandparents were from Megantic, and my grandmother told me the story of the Outlaw when I was quite young,” he reminisced. McLeod, who now resides in Toronto, left the Eastern Townships at the age of 17 but has never forgotten his roots. His latest novel, “The Dispossessed,” is a testament to his enduring fascination with the region’s history.
The story of Donald Morrison, a Scottish-Canadian folk hero, is central to McLeod’s narrative. “Morrison grew up in Megantic and later went out west to Montana to work as a cowboy. He sent money back home to support his family, but through some shady financial transactions, they lost the family farm,” McLeod explained.
Morrison’s story, marked by his evasion of the law and the local community’s support, resonated with McLeod from a young age. “It struck me as a very interesting story,” he said, adding that it stayed with him over the years, eventually inspiring him to write the book.
