Edgar Dewdney | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Edgar Dewdney

Edgar Dewdney, surveyor, politician (b in Devonshire, Eng 1835; d at Victoria 8 Aug 1916). Dewdney came to BC in 1859 and built the DEWDNEY TRAIL. In 1870 he was elected to the Legislative Council of BC as member for Kootenay.
Edgar Dewdney, surveyor, politician (b in Devonshire, Eng 1835; d at Victoria 8 Aug 1916). Dewdney came to BC in 1859 and built the DEWDNEY TRAIL. In 1870 he was elected to the Legislative Council of BC as member for Kootenay. He was elected to Parliament as Conservative member for Yale, BC, in 1872, 1874 and 1878. He was Indian commissioner for the North-West Territories 1879-88 and lieutenant-governor of the North-West Territories (1881-88). In 1888 and 1891 he was re-elected to the House of Commons as member for Assiniboia East. He was created privy councillor in 1888 and until 1892 was minister of the interior and superintendent general of Indian affairs. He was lieutenant-governor of BC 1892-97, after which he retired from public life to become a mining broker and financial agent in Victoria.