Mark Bourrie

As both historian and journalist, Mark Bourrie has built a distinguished career bridging scholarship and public engagement. Over four decades, his writing has revealed the complexity and richness of Canada’s history — from early encounters between Europeans and Indigenous peoples to the political struggles, wars, and media forces that have shaped the country’s modern identity. A gifted storyteller, Bourrie crafts deeply researched narratives that inform and captivate readers.

Winner of the RBC Taylor Prize for Bush Runner: The Adventures of Pierre-Esprit Radisson and a finalist for the J.W. Dafoe Book Prize for Crosses in the Sky: Jean de Brébeuf and the Destruction of Huronia, Bourrie has been praised for the insight, originality, and literary flair evident in his books. His journalism — appearing in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Legion Magazine, and other outlets — reflects a sustained commitment to making the past vivid, relevant, and accessible.

Through his teaching, public lectures, and advocacy for Canadian non-fiction, Bourrie has championed the role of history in shaping national identity and independence. His wide-ranging subjects and passion for storytelling have broadened the reach of Canadian history and deepened its conversation.