Ted Barris

Ted Barris (born 1949) is a Canadian author, journalist, broadcaster, and educator whose nonfiction concentrates on Canadian military history and veterans’ experiences. Born in Toronto, he developed an interest in historical writing while still at school; his work has since brought archival research, broadcast practice, and first-hand testimony together for general readers.

Barris worked in radio and print journalism, including freelance broadcasting for CBC Radio, and wrote the syndicated column The Barris Beat. His military-history books grew from documentary and magazine work. In Breaking the Silence, he examines veterans’ accounts ranging from the First World War to Afghanistan and considers the challenges of recording experiences that many service members had not previously shared. Other books, including The Great Escape: A Canadian Story and Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory, focus on Canadian participation in the Second World War. He also taught journalism and broadcasting at Centennial College before retiring from teaching in 2017.

Barris was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2022, in recognition of his contributions to the understanding of Canadian military history as an author, journalist, and broadcaster; he was invested in 2024. His work has also received the Libris Non-Fiction Book of the Year Award for The Great Escape: A Canadian Story and the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation. His official website continues to publish his historical writing and speaking-related updates.