In My Own Name: A Memoir

Ashley Thomson is a full librarian at Laurentian University and co-editor or co-author of nine books, most recently Margaret Atwood: A Reference Guide, 1988-2005.

For most Canadians, Maureen McTeer is known as the wife of Joe Clark,
who served one of the shortest terms as Canadian prime minister but
later came back as Secretary of State for External Affairs,
constitutional champion, and finally, the second last leader of his
party. She is also known as the wife who refused to change her last name
to match that of her husband.

Now that Clark has faded into the pages of history, readers might not
think it worth their while to read his wife’s story. If so, that would
be a terrible error because McTeer has given us one of the most splendid
memoirs of the season.

Born in 1952 in Ottawa, McTeer had a distinguished high-school career,
which included winning a local debating championship twice. Later, after
she began working for Joe Clark, an MP 13 years her senior, she
surprised everyone by marrying him. Her book takes us though Clark’s
political career, and McTeer minces no words in describing both its
highs and lows. Her memoir also shows how she succeeded in establishing
her own career as a lawyer and activist, most prominently serving (until
she was fired) on the Royal Commission on Reproductive Technologies. All
the while, she and her husband raised a beautiful daughter who is
obviously the other love of her life.

This memoir is special in part because McTeer is a gifted writer.
Already the author of three other books, this particular one is clear,
well organized, and honest. As she makes clear, whatever triumphs she
had were punctuated with depression, migraine headaches, and tears. But
more important, her memoir sheds new light on her husband’s political
career and will from now on be indispensable to anyone who chooses to
understand it. Finally, because McTeer has succeeded in carving out her
own distinguished career—in the midst of being a supportive political
wife and caring mother—she exemplifies the changes that have taken
place in women’s lives in the latter half of the 20th century. While
In My Own Name can be enjoyed now, one can easily see it being read many
years into the future—it is that significant.