Guy Palmer was born in England in 1913. After moving with his family to Canada following World War I, he attended the University of British Columbia. Palmer graduated with a BA majoring in zoology, in 1934. After graduation, he returned to England, where he worked for several years before enlisting in the army during the Second World War. Following the war, he returned to British Columbia and the UBC campus when he went to work for the BC. Research Council. He remained with the Research Council until his retirement in 1978. Palmer participated in theatrical productions with the Players' Club during his student days. However, he never lost interest in theatre. When he returned to work on the UBC campus, he performed a few productions. Perhaps more importantly, Palmer photographed dress rehearsals of major productions between 1954 and 1988.