Ed Butts

Ed Butts grew up in Guelph and is the author of more than 30 published books including Wartime: The First World War in A Canadian Town, which focuses on Guelph. He has written for numerous publications such as the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail, and has contributed to Historica, the online Canadian Encyclopedia. Ed lives in Guelph with his daughter Melanie and grandson Austin

Recent Work by Ed

That time Guelphites saw Gorgeous George lose via wrist lock

In 1958 the 'prima donna of the prize ring' came to Guelph to headline an all-star wrestling card at Memorial Gardens

Apr 7, 2024 8:15 AM Read more >

'GET A HORSE!' Looking back at Guelph's early car days

In 1912 there were 151 registered automobiles in Wellington County, by 1919 there were over 3,000

Mar 14, 2024 7:00 AM Read more >

At 6'10", was Guelph man the country's tallest First World War soldier?

Joe Lawrence slept on an angle in order to fit on his bed

Mar 2, 2024 9:00 AM Read more >

First dose of penicillin in Guelph given to pneumonia patient

First discovered in 1928, this anti-bacterial 'wonder drug' didn't make to Guelph until 1944

Feb 25, 2024 8:30 AM Read more >

First BME reverend well-rooted in the struggle against slavery

This edition of Then and Now looks at Junius Roberts, who connected the city with monumental events beyond its limits

Feb 4, 2024 8:30 AM Read more >

Lights in the sky raised police, military concern during Second World War

Mysterious plane repeatedly spotted in the sky above Wellington County, spurring worries of spying

Jan 24, 2024 11:01 AM Read more >

Speed River was popular with skinny-dipping boys despite dangers

Prior to flood control, the river was no stranger to fast flows and drowning deaths

Jan 20, 2024 8:00 AM Read more >

PoWs received care packages from Guelph and beyond for Christmas

During the Second World War, various agencies collected community gifts and delivered them to prison camps

Dec 25, 2023 7:00 AM Read more >

The strong Guelph woman behind Canada's 13th prime minister

Olive Diefenbaker taught at Guelph CVI before marrying then-MP John Diefenbaker who rose to the top office

Dec 17, 2023 8:00 AM Read more >

Thank the U of G for those great mashed potatoes

Yukon gold potato came from U of G breeder, produced by crossing a Peruvian 'golden egg' with a variety native to North Dakota

Nov 20, 2023 2:47 PM Read more >

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