Jerome (Jerry) O’Brien (1940-2021)   

Highlights

Influential archivist at the Public Archives of Canada (PAC), later National Archives of Canada (NA), [currently Library and Archives Canada (LAC)]where he took a leadership role in applying the Canadian Rules for Archival Description (RAD) to archival holdings in all media; active ACA member throughout his career. 

Education and Background 

Jerome W. O’Brien (Jerry) was born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. He received a BA from St. Francis Xavier University. 

Professional Career 

In 1968 Jerry O’Brien joined the Public Archives of Canada (later National Archives) as a member of the Manuscript Division. He moved on to the newly established Public Records Division in 1973 to serve as manager of the State, Military and International Records Section, in what later became the Government Archives Division. In 1985, O’Brien authored the first appraisal and selection criteria guidelines used for federal government textual records, thus codifying in writing the principles and practices that had already been in use for many years. Between 1997 and 1999, O’Brien was Senior Archivist of the Cartographic and Architectural Acquisition and Research Section. Following the National Archives’ decision to implement RAD, in 1996-1997 he co-led the Archives Development and Preservation Branch team that developed the corporate procedures manual which standardized, for the first time, NA’s intellectual controls for the accessioning, arrangement, and description of all its archival holdings regardless of medium. He is remembered as providing a calm voice of reason throughout this intense project. O’Brien retired from the National Archives in 2002. 

Contributions to the Profession 

A founding member of the ACA, O’Brien served as Director Without Portfolio (1991-1993), the Board of Directors’ Conference Liaison (1998-1999), and President (2003-2004). Over the years he actively participated in many or most ACA annual conferences and on several ACA committees, most notably the ACA Review and Renewal Select Committee (2004-2007). 

Honours, Awards and Recognition 

• National Archives of Canada 125th Anniversary Award, 1997 
• Library and Archives Canada W. Kaye Lamb Prize, for his work as a member of the Universal Classification Standard Conversion Project team, 1997 
• ACA Fellow, 2010 

• ACA Oral History – Jerry O’Brien https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhHF92BRWboNOTE: this interview concerns Hugh Taylor. 

Photo source: ACA Files

 If you see any inaccuracies or information gaps in any biography, the ACA would very much welcome your input. Please send a message to the current chair of the Nominations and Awards Committee.