Montagnes, Ian

Ian Montagnes (b. 1932) is journalist, author, and consultant who served as the Assistant Director and Editor-in-Chief of University of Toronto Press from 1982 to 1992. He authored multiple books, including An Uncommon Fellowship: The story of Hart House (1969), Cold Iron and Lady Godiva: Engineering education at Toronto, 1920 – 1972 (1973), and The Thesis and The Book (1978).

Montagnes grew up in Toronto and attended the University of Toronto (B.A. 1953) where he was active as a journalist for The Varsity and within student politics, including through the Students Administrative Council (SAC). Following his studies, Montagnes pursued journalism and public relations, before returning to the UofT for his graduate degree (M.A., 1956). Beginning in 1966, he started working at the University of Toronto Press and advanced to heading its editorial department (1972) to serving as Assistant Director and Editor-in-Chief (1982). He retired from the press in 1992.

Through the 1980s and continuing after his retirement, Montagnes developed training programmes for editors tailored to publishing in low and middle-income countries. He also worked as a consultant for a number of international development agencies addressing various aspects of publishing, in particular financial self-sufficiency and textbook procurement.

Ian Montagnes published his memoir, To Whom I Belong, in 2024 and lives in Port Hope, Ontario.

References:
Curriculum vitae, B2024-0014/001(15)
Montagnes, Ian. To Whom I Belong. A Memoir. Ganaraska Press, 2024.

Biographical note written by D. Ansovini, April 2025