1803-1877

[English]

Justifiably described as “the father of British Columbia”, Douglas was born in Demerara. He joined the North West Company in 1819, serving at Fort William and Ile a la Crosse where he was taken into the Hudson’s Bay Company. Rising rapidly in that service he became a member of the Columbia District Board in 1845, company agent at Vancouver Island in 1849 and second Governor of the colony two years later. His firm and wise rule, particularly during the gold rush of 1858, preserved peace and order and led to his appointment as Governor of the colony of British Columbia which was founded in the same year. He died at Victoria.

[French]

Douglas, natif de Demerara, est considéré comme le «pere de la Colombie-Britannique». Au service de la Compagnie de la Baie d’Hudson, il obtint de rapides promotions et, en 1845, devint membre de la Commission du district de Columbia. Agent de la compangnie à l’ile Vancouver en 1849, il devint governeur de la colonie deux ans plus tard. Sa clairvoyance et sa fremeté, surtout à l’époque de la ruée vers l’or de 1858, assurèrent la paix et l’ordre et lui valurent d’être nommé gouverneur de la colonie de la Colombie-Britannique, fondée cette même année. Il mourut à Victoria.

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada.

Government of Canada-1946-Governement du Canada

Marker is at the intersection of Douglas Street and Belleville Street on Douglas Street.

Courtesy hmdb.org

Credits and Sources: