Memorable Manitobans: Isabella Jessie Anna Norquay (1864-1915)

Librarian.

Daughter of John Norquay and Elizabeth Setter, she was educated at the St. Andrew’s parish school, Old St. Mary’s Academy, and St. John’s Ladies College. She moved to Winnipeg with her family in 1885, living in a home on Hallet Street near the Red River. In 1900, she was appointed Assistant Provincial Librarian, under J. P. Robertson, in the Manitoba Legislative Library. She collected photographs of every member of the provincial legislature since 1870, except for two, and had them framed for display in the Legislative Building. She died at Winnipeg on 19 June 1915 and was buried in St. John’s Cemetery.

Sources:

“Fine character removed by death”, Manitoba Free Press, 21 June 1915, page 5.

“Asst. provincial librarian dead”, undated newspaper clipping. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Scrapbook B6]

This profile was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Profile revised: 10 October 2010

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