Shirlee Anne Smith

Archivist, historian.

Born in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, in a village established in 1785 by her Huguenot ancestors. She grew up surrounded by history. Evenings were spent listening to stories from past centuries about the building of wooden sailing ships, the havoc created by gales sweeping along the Northumberland Strait, and the shopping trips, on foot, over the mountains to Truro to purchase tea and sugar.

Mrs. Smith, who has a BA in history, has spent her entire professional career working either directly or indirectly for the Hudson's Bay Company. In 1973, she was posted to London to transfer the Company's records to Winnipeg becoming, in the process, the first Canadian Keeper of that internationally known Archives. A considerable amount of her time as Keeper was spent advising, encouraging, and persuading students to complete their research for their postgraduate degrees.

Like many of her colleagues, Mrs. Smith has written articles, book reviews, conducted workshops, and edited numerous manuscripts for publication. In addition to being a President of the Manitoba Historical Society, and an ardent supporter, she has also served on a number of Boards and Committees among them being Canada's National History Society, the National Archival Board, and the City of Winnipeg Advisory Board on the Arts. Since leaving the Archives in 1990, Mrs. Smith has spent her time as an inordinately active Anglican, doing freelance research, and travelling to various countries.

Her Honours and Awards include being a Member of the Order of Canada, a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Manitoba, and the Prix Award from the Province of Manitoba.

More information:

Shirlee Smith Honored by Laird Rankin
Manitoba History, Number 9, Spring 1985

Profile revised: 26 December 2008