Born in Northampton, England in 1760, Herman Witsius Ryland came to Canada in 1793, after having served in America during the last stages of the American Revolutionary War, 1781-1784, as assistant Deputy Paymaster to the British forces. Ryland came to Canada as Civil Secretary to Lord Dorchester, Governor General of British North America. In 1796, he was appointed Clerk of the Executive Council, holding that appointment until his death. He served as a member of the Legislative Council from 1811 to 1838, and as Civil Secretary under succeeding Governors until 1812. As an influential member of the ruling oligarchy and as the confidential adviser of Sir James Craig, Ryland was distrusted by French Canadian leaders. In 1812 he was dismissed from the secretaryship by Sir George Prevost, who adopted a more conciliatory policy toward French Canadians.

Architect Witold Rybczynski was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Polish parents. As a child he moved to Canada, where he studied architecture at McGill University, graduating with a B.Arch in 1966, M.Arch. in 1972, and S.D. in 2002. He was a faculty member at the McGill School of Architecture from 1973 and 1993 and is currently Emeritus Professor of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. His book "Home: A Short History of an Idea" was, notably, nominated for the 1986 Governor General's Award. It is one of the approximately 300 publications Rybczynski has authored on architecture and technology, including many for non-academic audiences.