JIM BLANCHARD grew up in Brandon, Manitoba. After completing a B.A. at Brandon University, he earned an M.A.in History from the University of Manitoba and a Library Science degree from Western University. He is a retired academic librarian and Librarian Emeritus at the University of Manitoba, past president of the Manitoba Historical Society, and the author of several books on Manitoba history, including the award-winning Winnipeg, 1912. He lives in Winnipeg.