The popular view of Victoria's genteel history—all aristocratic colonists and Royal Navy dances—is about to be exploded. Yes, there were wealthy and well-born settlers, but the city's pioneers also included madams and murderers, seamstresses and saloonkeepers, who would never have been seated at the dinner tales of the upper class.

But all these people, upstanding citizens or impudent criminals, made their mark on the life of the little settlement perched on the Pacific; the New World meant a fresh start for everyone.

In Upstarts & Outcasts, Valerie Green has collected a rich variety of stories, including those of Arthur Bunster, the bombastic brewer; Soue Kee, the laundryman who served the fleet; Ellen Timmens, the disgruntled housemaid; Mr. Badger, the butler with bad feet; and Stella Carroll, the bawdiest of the many brothel-owners-to mention just a few of the fascinating characters of Victoria's early years.

Victoria may not have been as prim and proper as legends have it, but it was much more colourful!

Valerie Green was born in england and studied journalism, english literature and history at the Regent Institute of Journalism in London. Before immigrating to Canada in 1968, Valerie's employment included a short stint at the War Office for MI5, as well as legal secretarial work and freelance writing. Her writing career is extensive and includes writing a weekly history column for the Saanich News for nineteen years, a monthly column for the Seaside Times in Sidney, BC, numerous articles for the Victoria Times Colonist, as well as authoring and editing over 20 books on local and regional history, mysteries and social issues.Now semi-retired, Valerie continues to freelance for a number of newspapers and magazines. In addition, she has served on the board of the Saanich Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee, the Saanich Heritage Foundation and volunteered with the Luther Court Society. She is a member of the Professional Writers of Canada (PWAC), the Federation of BC Writers, the Writers' Union of Canada, and the Hallmark Society of Victoria. She lives with her husband in Saanich and is the proud grandmother of two young boys. Visit her website at www.valeriegreenauthor.com

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