Dave Whitman was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley. He graduated from Acadia University in Wolfville and taught school in Halifax. Returning to the Valley in 1972, he continued to teach and raise a family. His two daughters, Lori and Cathy are both teachers and are part of the editing process for Bailey Chase Books. Dave, and his wife Paulette, both now retired, have written twelve books, mostly about local history.