The Development and Leadership of B.C.

1. James Douglas

2. Mathew Ballie Begbie

3. John Sebastian Helmcken

By Gavin Feng, Hubert Yuan

It was snowing last class!!!

Biography – James Douglas

Born in 1803, Demerara (now part of Guyana).

Parents from free-mixed European and African ancestry.

Schooled in Scotland and England.

Joined the NWC at the age of sixteen

Legacy– James Douglas

Company fur-trader and a British colonial governor on Vancouver Island

Worked for the NWC, and later for the HBC, becoming a high-ranking company officer.

Governor of the Colony of Vancouver island from 1851 to 1864

Became the first Governor of the Colony of British Columbia in 1858

Remained governor of Vancouver Island and British Columbia until 1864.

Legacy – James Douglas

Often credited as "The Father of British Columbia”.

Asserted British authority during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, which had the potential to turn the B.C. Mainland into an American state.

Biography – Matthew Ballie Begbie

Raised in the island of Mauritius until seven years old

Returned to Great Britain for education.

Educated at Elizabeth College from 11 to 17 years old

Received his first degree at the University of Cambridge

Involved in a great number of extracurricular activities

Studied law at Lincoln’s Inn.

Established a successful law practice in London

Legacy– Matthew Ballie Begbie

Became the first Chief Justice of the Crown Colony in 1858

Served as the first Judge of the Supreme Court from 1858 - 1866

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from 1870 to 1871

Served as the first Chief Justice in 1871

Biography – John Sebastian Helmcken

Born in London England

Educated at St. George's German and English school

Apprenticed as a physician

Traveled to India and China after completing his certification

Hired aboard the HBC’s Prince Rupert in 1847

Intended to join the Navy, but was persuaded to join HBC in 1849

Legacy– John Sebastian Helmcken

Arrived in Vancouver Island on March 1850

Posted at Fort Rupert as a magistrate

Six months later James Douglas called Helmcken to Fort Victoria

Joined the "family-company compact” when he married Douglas’s daughter

Elected to the first Legislative Assembly of Vancouver Island in 1856.

Served as its speaker until the colony merged with BC in 1866.

By 1863 he had risen to rank of chief trader within the HBC,

In 1870 Governor Musgrave appointed him to his executive council.

He then became Speaker of the Legislative Council of the new colony until Confederation in 1871.

Legacy –John Sebastian Helmcken

Favored confederation in 1866

Was sent with two other ambassadors to Ottawa

The terms negotiated were favorable to BC

British Columbia became a Canadian province on July 20, 1871.

The founding president of British Columbia’s Medical society in 1885

Part of the decision in moving capital of BC to Victoria

Connections: James Douglas

1.Spoke Fluent French

2.Self-education

3.Thrived in strict structure of HBC

4.Denounced Slavery

5.Understood business and finance

* Suitable Position: Finance Minister

Connections: Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie

1. Naturalist

2. Wrote Legislation & law for BC

3. Travelled all around BC to have courts

4. Spoke many languages include Aborginal

* Suitable Position : Minister of the Environment

* Suitable Position : Minister of the Environment

1.Understood health & money

2.Helped make a very good deal for BC to join Canada

3.People found him influential

4.Well- respected

5.Turned down political positions

Connections: John Sebastian Helmcken

* Suitable Position : Health Minister