Ernest Mardon was born in Harris County, Texas in 1928 to Professor Heber 'Austin' and Marie Therese Mardon (neé Dickey). He attended Gordonstoun School, Moray, Scotland 1945-1946; The Cistercian College Roscrea, Tipperary Co., Ireland 1946-1948; Trinity College, Dublin University, Ireland 1948-1950; University of Perugia, Certificate of Italian 1950; and the University of London, School of Oriental Studies 1954. He earned his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta in 1961, and from the University of Ottawa, a Master of Arts degree in 1966, and a Ph.D., English Literature in 1967.

Ernest served with the British Army, Gordon Highlanders, U.K. 1951; Suez Canal Zone, Cyprus, Libya 1952-1954; Middle East Land Forces (MELF) 1952-1954; and was honorably discharged in 1958 with a rank of Lieutenant. He immigrated to Canada in 1954 and married May Gertrude Knowler in 1957. They had three children; Austin Albert, Mary Teresa, and Teresa May.

Upon his arrival in Canada, Ernest worked as a Staff Correspondent with the British United Press Wire Service in Edmonton, and after 1961 began teaching at Thibault High School in Morinville. Ernest was a member of the Founding Faculty, University of Lethbridge 1967 and was an Associate Professor of English there until his retirement in 1990. He also taught English as a visiting instructor at the University of Calgary, Laurentian University, the University of Saskatchewan, Nipissing University College, Walden University, and Red Deer College.

Ernest Mardon was a member of the Provincial Executive of the Home and School Association and was involved with the Canadian Onomastic Institute, Antarctic Institute of Canada, and the Progressive Conservative Party. He received the Skarin Award, University of Alberta, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, and is the author, co-author, and translator of dozens of books.

Ernest died in March of 2016 in Lethbridge.