Scott Young

Early life and career beginnings

Scott Young was born in Cypress River, Manitoba, and grew up in the nearby town of Glenboro, where his father, Percy Andrew Young, operated a drug store. His mother was Jean Ferguson Paterson. The family's financial situation deteriorated after his father went broke in 1926, forcing a move to Winnipeg which they could not afford to maintain. Following his parents' separation in 1930, Young lived for a year with an aunt and uncle in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg to live with his mother. He began writing stories as a teenager, facing numerous rejections before his big break arrived at age 18. In 1936, he was hired as a copyboy at the Winnipeg Free Press and was quickly promoted to sports reporter, launching his professional writing career. It was during this period in Winnipeg that he met Edna Blow "Rassy" Ragland in 1937. The couple married in 1940.

Move to Toronto and wartime service

Seeking better opportunities, Young moved to Toronto in 1941 after being unable to secure a raise at the Free Press. In Toronto, he worked for the Canadian Press news agency, covering both news and sports. His first son, Bob Young, was born in 1942. Just five months later, Young was dispatched to England to help cover the Second World War for Canadian Press. He returned to Canada a year later and immediately joined the war effort, enlisting in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserves. Young served as a Communications Officer until his release following the war's end in 1945. Upon returning to civilian life, he went back to Canadian Press before soon accepting a position as an assistant editor at Maclean's magazine. His second son, future music icon Neil Young, was born in Toronto in November 1945.

Literary career and major works

Young established himself as a versatile author across multiple genres, ultimately publishing 45 books. His first novel, The Flood, published by McClelland and Stewart in 1956, used the 1950 Winnipeg flood as its backdrop. His early non-fiction included corporate history, such as the 1955 account The Way Up, which detailed the first decade of A.V. Roe Canada Limited. In the 1980s, he created a unique series of detective novels featuring Inuit RCMP officer Matthew "Matteesie" Kitologitak, which included titles like The Shaman's Knife and Murder in a Cold Climate. A deeply personal project was his 1984 book Neil and Me, which explored his relationship with his famous son. His final major work was the 1994 autobiography A Writer's Life, which chronicled his long and varied career.

Scott Young's career as a journalist and author was defined by his work at several major Canadian media institutions and publications. He began as a copyboy and then sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press in 1936. He later worked for the Canadian Press news agency, Maclean's magazine as an assistant editor, the Globe and Mail, and the Toronto Telegram as sports editor and columnist. His career in journalism spanned decades and included covering news, sports, and World War II.

• Winnipeg Free Press (1936 to 1941): Hired as a copyboy and promoted to sports reporter.
• Canadian Press (1941 to 1945, 1945-mid-1940s): Covered news, sports, and the Second World War.
• Maclean's magazine (mid-1940s): Served as an assistant editor.
• The Globe and Mail (multiple periods): Worked as a sports columnist.

His literary output was equally diverse, spanning several distinct categories. Over his career, Young wrote 45 books, including novels and non-fiction for adult and youth audiences. His works included his first novel, The Flood, published in 1956, a 1955 corporate history titled The Way Up, and a series of detective novels in the 1980s featuring Inuit detective Matthew Kitologitak. He also wrote personal works such as his 1984 book Neil and Me and his 1994 autobiography A Writer's Life.

• Novels: The Flood (1956) and the "Matteesie" detective series in the 1980s.
• Sports non-fiction: Numerous books on hockey, often written with figures like Punch Imlach.
• Corporate history: The Way Up (1955), documenting A.V. Roe Canada.
• Memoir/Biography: Neil and Me (1984) and his autobiography A Writer's Life (1994).
• Youth fiction: Several books written for younger audiences.

Journalism career and the Omemee farm

After his stint at Maclean's, Young's journalism career continued at major Toronto newspapers. He worked as a sports columnist for The Globe and Mail, but his tenure was punctuated by a notable dispute. In 1969, after transferring to the Globe's Ottawa bureau, he clashed with management over publication rights to excerpts from a book he co-wrote with hockey coach Punch Imlach. When the Globe refused to allow the material to run in the competing Toronto Telegram, which had acquired the rights, Young resigned. He promptly accepted a job offer from Telegram owner John Bassett to become sports editor and columnist, moving back to Toronto within weeks. He remained at the Telegram until it ceased publication in 1971, after which he rejoined The Globe and Mail. Young's personal life saw significant changes during this period. He and his first wife, Rassy, had separated earlier, and in 1976 they divorced. In the fall of 1977, he began a relationship with fellow Globe writer Margaret Hogan, whom he married in 1980. A final professional break with the Globe occurred around the time of his marriage, leading to his departure after disagreements over stories critical of Punch Imlach written by colleague Donald Ramsay.

In 1967, Young purchased a 100-acre farm near the village of Omemee in Cavan Township, Ontario, and built a house there, establishing a lasting connection to the area. He and Margaret sold the property in the late 1980s and moved to Howth, a suburb of Dublin, Ireland. They returned to Omemee in 1992 and repurchased their old farm, which Young owned for the remainder of his life. In a tribute to his local legacy, Scott Young Public School in Omemee was named in his honour in 1993. In 2004, he and Margaret relocated to Kingston, Ontario, where he died the following year at the age of 87.

Honours and recognition

Scott Young received significant recognition for his contributions to sports journalism and Canadian letters. In 1988, he was honoured with the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award, presented by the Hockey Hall of Fame as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. This award is considered one of the highest accolades in hockey journalism. He was also inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, acknowledging his roots and his impact on the sport's coverage. Beyond sports, his literary and community contributions were celebrated. Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, conferred an honorary doctorate upon him in 1990. In connection with this honour, Young donated a substantial collection of his personal papers and manuscripts to the university's archives, providing a valuable resource for scholars. The naming of Scott Young Public School in Omemee in 1993 remains a lasting community tribute to his presence and influence in the region.

Key milestones and honours in Young's later life include several notable events. In 1988, he received the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame and was later inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. In 1990, he received an honorary doctorate from Trent University and donated many of his papers to the university's archives. Scott Young Public School in Omemee was named in his honour in 1993. He and his wife sold their farm in the late 1980s, lived in Ireland, returned to repurchase the farm in 1992, and moved to Kingston, Ontario, in 2004.

• 1988: Received the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame.
• 1990: Awarded an honorary doctorate from Trent University and donated his papers to their archives.
• 1992: Returned to Canada from Ireland and repurchased his farm near Omemee.
• 1993: Scott Young Public School in Omemee was named in his honour.
• 1994: Published his autobiography, A Writer's Life.
• 2004: Moved with his wife Margaret to Kingston, Ontario.
• 2005: Died in Kingston at the age of 87.

Family and personal life

Scott Young's family life was integral to his story and his work. His first marriage was to Edna Blow "Rassy" Ragland in 1940. Together they had two sons: Bob, born in 1942, and Neil, born in 1945. The couple separated and were divorced in 1976. Rassy later became known as a steadfast supporter of Neil's early musical career. Young's second marriage was to journalist and author Margaret Hogan in 1980, following several years of living together. This partnership lasted until his death. Young was also the father of a daughter, Astrid Young, from another relationship. His children pursued creative paths: Neil Young achieved global fame as a singer-songwriter and musician, Astrid Young became a musician and recording artist, and Bob Young had a career in journalism and business. The dynamics of his relationship with Neil were explored in his 1984 book Neil and Me, offering a public reflection on their father-son bond amidst the complexities of fame and family.

Questions about Scott Young

What was Scott Young's connection to Neil Young?

Scott Young was the father of musician Neil Young. Their relationship was a significant part of Scott's life and work, which he explored in depth in his 1984 book Neil and Me. The book provides a personal account of their father-son dynamic, Neil's rise to fame, and the complexities of their family life. Scott was also married to Neil's mother, Rassy Ragland, from 1940 until their divorce in 1976.

What awards did Scott Young win?

Scott Young received several notable awards. In 1988, he was awarded the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award by the Hockey Hall of Fame, a top honour for hockey journalists. He was also inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. Outside of sports, Trent University awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1990 in recognition of his contributions to writing and journalism.

Where did Scott Young live in Ontario?

Scott Young had a strong connection to rural Ontario, particularly the area near Omemee. In 1967, he bought a 100-acre farm near Omemee in Cavan Township and built a home there. After a period living in Ireland from the late 1980s to 1992, he and his wife Margaret returned and repurchased the same farm. He lived there until 2004, when he and Margaret moved to Kingston, Ontario, where he passed away in 2005.

How many books did Scott Young write?

Scott Young wrote 45 books over his career. His works included novels and non fiction for both adult and youth audiences. This prolific output was noted in his 1955 account of A. V. Roe Canada Limited, which mentioned his stories appearing in international magazines. His bibliography also encompassed an autobiography and a book about his life with his son Neil. His writing career spanned several decades from his first novel in 1956 to his later works.

What was Scott Young's first novel?

Scott Young's first novel was The Flood. It was published in 1956 by McClelland and Stewart Limited in Toronto. The novel used the Winnipeg flood of 1950 as its background. This book was referenced as his fourth upcoming publication in a 1955 corporate history he authored. The Flood followed his earlier non fiction works and established his range as an author of both fiction and non fiction.

Who was the detective in Scott Young's mystery novels?

The detective in Scott Young's mystery novels was Inuit detective Matthew Matteesie Kitologitak. This character appeared in a series of detective stories Young wrote during the 1980s. Specific titles featuring this detective include The Shaman's Knife and Murder in a Cold Climate. These works added a distinct Canadian cultural element to the mystery genre. They were part of Young's diverse literary output which included sports writing and biography.

Sources and further reading

• Scott Young (Wikipedia)
• Scott Young (thecanadianencyclopedia.ca)
• Journalist, author Scott Young dies | CBC News (cbc.ca)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-04.