Hugh Dempsey

Hugh Dempsey

Born in Edgerton, Alberta, Hugh Aylmer Dempsey worked at the Edmonton Bulletin newspaper and as a publicity writer for the Alberta Government prior to joining the Glenbow-Alberta Institute in 1956 as that organization's first archivist. He was promoted to curator/director in 1967, a postion he held until his retirement in 1991. On his retirement he was made Chief Curator Emeritus. In addition to his continuing role as the founding editor of the Historical Society of Alberta's journal Alberta History, he has published many books and articles about native peoples and Alberta history, and collected photos relating to southern Alberta reserves. He also taught native studies and Alberta history at the University of Calgary and was involved in studies of Fort Calgary and the Cochrane Ranche. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Calgary. He died May 2022.