Mary Byers was born and educated in Toronto and graduated from the University of Toronto with a B.A. in 1954 and an M.A. in 1976. Her volunteer work commenced in 1966 for the Faculty of Architecture at the U of T in Inventory of Historic Buildings, established by the Province of Ontario and directed by Prof. Wm. Goulding. This experience led to writing of 13 books on social history and heritage buildings. She received a Canada Council Grant in 1988.