Helen Webster is a fifth generation Canadian and the granddaughter of Dr. Robert Ross, the real life medical man in this story. Growing up, Helen was enthralled with the stories her grandfather told. This ‘larger than life’ man ignited in her a passion for writing, for research, and for Canadian history. She felt certain that someday she would recount his story for all to read. She knew her grandparents well and had access to original source materials including her grandmother Jennie’s letters, as well as Robert’s letters, his stories, his journals, and his medical case studies, which all provided a richly detailed narrative of the times.