Adriana A. Davies, Order of Canada and Cavaliere d'Italia recipient, was born in Italy, grew up in Canada and has BA and MA degrees from the University of Alberta and doctorate from the University of London, England. She is a historian and fine and decorative arts specialist whose publications include two volumes of the Dictionary of British Portraiture, From Realism to Abstraction: The Art of J. B. Taylor, The Rise and Fall of Emilio Picariello, The Frontier of Patriotism: Alberta and the First World War, From Sojourners to Citizens: Alberta's Italian History and My Theatre of Memory: A Life in Words.
Being named enemy aliens shamed Italian-Albertans. Many denied their ethnicity. They forgot their language and took on Anglo names. Adriana Davies counteracts that negativity with an opposing story of accomplishment and pride. --Alberta Views