James FitzGerald

Author and Journalist

James FitzGerald is a Toronto-born journalist and author. Educated at Upper Canada College and Queen’s University, where he studied English and psychology, he has spent 35 years in the fields of journalism and book publishing. As a freelance writer, he has contributed to a variety of publications.

James’ first book, Old Boys: The Powerful Legacy of Upper Canada College (Macfarlane, Walter & Ross, 1994) was a controversial inside look at the attitudes and mores of Canada’s ruling class. Composed as an oral history, his interview subjects included such prominent Canadians as Robertson Davies, Conrad Black, Michael Ignatieff, Ted Rogers, Michael Snow, Peter Newman, David Thomson and John Eaton. Revelations of the sexual abuse of boys at the school, first published in the book, led to the charging and conviction of three former teachers and the launching of a class action suit against UCC in 2002.

The Toronto Life article that sparked What Disturbs Our Blood: A Son’s Quest To Redeem The Past won a National Magazine Award in 2002.