Father Lacombe

Howard Angus Kennedy (1861-1938) was a Canadian historian and journalist. Born in London, England, he emigrated to Canada with the intention of learning to farm but became a journalist instead. He became a correspondent for the Montreal Witness as well as the New York Herald. His most notable assignment was to cover the North-West Rebellion in 1885. He was present during the relief of Battleford, the Battle of Cut Knife and the pursuit of Big Bear. He tried again to return to farming but the onset of World Ward I meant recruitment by the government to help with the war effort. He went to Ottawa where he worked as a writer and editor for several government agencies until 1918. After the war he devoted his time to writing and eventually produced 17 books as well as numerous articles and pamphlets. He was a charter member of the Canadian Authors Association which was established in 1921 and in 1929 he was elected as national secretary, a position he held until his death. (Macmillan Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Who Was Who, 1941)

Charles William Jefferys (August 25, 1869—October 8, 1951) was a Canadian painter, illustrator, author, and teacher best known as a historical illustrator.

Born in Rochester, England, Jefferys arrived in Toronto, Ontario (after living in Philadelphia and Hamilton, Ontario) with his family around 1880. After attending school, he apprenticed with the york, Lithography Company from 1885 to 1890. From 1889 to 1892 he worked for the Toronto Globe as an illustrator and artist. From 1893 to 1901, he worked for the New York Herald. Returning to Toronto, he became a magazine and book illustrator. Along with Ivor Lewis and other artists, Jefferys co-founded the Graphic Arts Club (later named the Canadian Society of Graphic Art), which by the 1940s became the primary artists' group in Canada. As well, from 1912 to 1939 he taught painting and drawing in the Department of Architecture at the University of Toronto.--Wikipedia.

Lorne Pierce (1890-1961) was a Canadian publisher and editor. Born in eastern Ontario, he was educated at Queen's University, the University of Toronto and the Wesleyan Theological School in Montreal. He was ordained as a Methodist Church minister and later became a United Church minister. In 1920 he was appointed literary adviser at Ryerson Press in Toronto. Two years later he became editor, a position he remained in until 1960. During his tenure he fostered the careers of several well known authors including E.J. Pratt, Earle Birney, Dorothy Livesay and A.J.M. Smith. He authored and published numerous books on Canadian literature and history. He instigated three series of short books on literature to promote Canadian literature to the general public. He created the Lorne Pierce award for the recognition of excellence in Canadian literature and criticism which is now administered by the Royal Society of Canada. He was also a leading founder of the Canadian Writers' Foundation. During his life he amassed an important collection of Canadian books, letters and manuscripts which he donated to Queen's University. (Oxford Companion to Canadian Literature)