Canadian poet often classed as one of the countries "Confederation Poets," along with Bliss Carman, Archibald Lampman, and Duncan Campbell Scott. He came to be considered the unofficial poet laureate of Canada by the end of the 19th century. He is best known for his 1889 collection Lake Lyrics and Other Poems, inspired by the scenery of the Lake Hurion-Georgian Bay area near his home. He was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1885 and was appointed to a New England parish before suffering a crisis of faith in 1891 and resigning from the ministry.
