William Rodney, author, airman, and scholar, was born in Drumheller, Alberta, on January 5, 1923. He was educated at the University of Alberta and at Cambridge University before earning a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics. He was later appointed a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and of the Royal Geographical Society. During the Second World War he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and flew in operational tours with the RAF Bomber Command, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar.

In 1962, Rodney accepted a teaching position at Royal Roads Military College (now Royal Roads University) near Victoria, B.C., where he became active in academic life and spent the rest of his career. A lifelong writer, Rodney published several scholarly articles as well radio documentaries and popular histories. For Kootenai Brown, he received the University of British Columbia’s Medal for Popular Biography and the Award of Merit and Distinction from the American Association for State and Local History.

In retirement, Rodney travelled widely to Asia, Australia, and the Middle East and was active in community affairs, playing an instrumental role in the establishment of Gonzales Hill Regional Park. He passed away in Victoria on March 26, 2012.