Alliance Francaise de Victoria Book Prize in Memory of Dr. W. D. Witherspoon
The Alliance Française de Victoria is one of nine Canadian branches established from the West Coast to Halifax. The purpose of the Alliance Française is to offer French language courses throughout the world and to promote francophone cultural diversity. Presently there are more than 800 Alliances throughout the world in 133 countries.
The Alliance Française de Victoria, established in 1910, is a non-profit, non-political organization supported through private contributions and membership fees, and governed by a Board of Directors taken from leaders in the city's academic, professional and business circles.
The Alliance Française de Victoria has offered language courses to the public since 2000 along with the cultural activities that it has organized since its inception for the benefit of the francophone community.
The Alliance Française de Victoria established a scholarship at Victoria College in 1962. When the University of Victoria was established in 1963, the Alliance continued to provide this annual scholarship until 2013.
In 1978, the Victoria branch established this book prize in memory of Dr. Winnifred D. Witherspoon, a President of the Alliance who passed away in 1976.