John Robert Colombo is nationally known as the "Master Gatherer" for his many collections of Canadiana. He has written, compiled, or translated more than 120 books that are largely devoted to the lore and literature of Canada. Colombo has been dubbed "Canada's Mr. Mystery" for his works on ghosts, the paranormal, and the supernatural. He is an Esteemed Knight of Mark Twain and a member of the Order of Cyril and Methodius (first class). In May 1998, he was the recipient of an honorary D.Litt from York University, Toronto.