He was born in India, and was educated in Dublin, Cambridge, and London. He served in the Royal Navy during WWII. He emigrated to Canada in 1952.
He was a prominent Canadian writer and editor. He published collections of short stories, novellas, and poetry, and was a renowned travel writer. He co-founded the Canadian magazine Tamarack Review.
He was a recipient of the Governor General's Literary Award and the Order of Canada.