 Born in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Acadia University in 1967, a Master of Arts degree in 1968, and a Ph.D. in 1979 both from the University of Toronto.After a brief stint as an editor at Clarke, Irwin Publishing Company from 1968 to 1969, she joined the Department of History Acadia University in 1969.She was made a full professor in 1987 and was Head of Department from 1992 to 1995.