This week, Calgary lost one of its most accomplished storytellers with the death of Harry “the Historian” Sanders. For many, Harry brought Calgary’s past to life through his writing, research, walking tours, and countless conversations about the city he knew so well. For me, his loss is also personal. Harry was a colleague, a fellow researcher, and someone I shared a love of Calgary history with.
Decades ago, Harry and I worked together at the Central Library, and although I came late to the history community, Harry welcomed me with open arms. Since the Calgary Gay History Project was founded in 2012, we’ve shared historical information, compared discoveries, and helped one another track down the details that turn an interesting story into an accurate one. Harry had an extraordinary store of knowledge, but what I especially appreciated was his generosity with it.
Dozens of times over the years, Harry came across pieces of Calgary’s gay history while pursuing his own research and made a point of passing them along to me. A newspaper clipping, a name, an event, an unexpected connection—if Harry bumped into something he thought would be useful to my research, he made sure I had it. Those exchanges meant a great deal to me. They also said something fundamental about Harry: history was never something to possess or guard. It was something to share.
That generosity extended far beyond his colleagues. Through his books, research, public appearances and walking tours, Harry had a wonderful ability to make local history engaging and accessible. Most recently, he became editor of Alberta History magazine, succeeding another legend of Alberta history, Hugh Dempsey. It was a fitting passing of the torch between two remarkable keepers of Alberta’s stories.
In a CBC memorial interview this week, Harry’s friend Bob van Wegan said his death leaves a “Harry-shaped crater” in Calgary’s historical community. Harry created an impressive body of work, but his legacy also lives on in countless smaller acts of generosity—the discoveries shared, the questions answered, the connections made, and the curiosity encouraged.
Harry was an extraordinary historian. His passion for history was inspiring. The stories he gave us will endure.
Calgary knows itself better because Harry Sanders cared so deeply. I feel fortunate to have been his colleague, and I will miss him greatly.
{KA}
Calgary Gay History 