Elinor Barr was a historian, author, and publisher, who researched and wrote Northwestern Ontario history. She was born in Ignace, Ontario, and initially trained and worked as a registered nurse. After receiving a degree in History from Lakehead University in 1974, she dedicated the rest of her life to that pursuit.

Some of her published works include: Thunder Bay to Gunflint: The Port Arthur, Duluth & Western Railway; Silver Islet: Striking it Rich in Lake Superior; The Frontier as Experienced on the Pre-Cambrian Shield: A Study of Ignace, Ontario from 1883-1908; and Swedes in Canada: Invisible Immigrants.

Elinor Barr's archives are held by the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society.