Begbie, Sir Matthew Baillie National Historic Person
Victoria, British Columbia
Plaque in place
(© Parks Canada | Parcs Canada)
Address :
28 Bastion Square, Victoria, British Columbia
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1959-11-25
Life Date:
1819 to 1894
Other Name(s):
-
Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie
(Designation Name)
Importance:
This designation has been identified for review
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: 28 Bastion Square, Victoria, British Columbia
Begbie practised law in England for fourteen years before his appointment in 1858 as the first judge of the mainland Colony of British Columbia. During the gold rush, he won the respect of lawless miners of the Fraser River and Cariboo regions. In 1869, after the union of Vancouver Island and British Columbia, he was named Chief Justice of the mainland; in 1870, of the whole Colony; and in 1871, of the Province. He presided in this building, erected in 1889. His 36 years of fearless and impartial service made a lasting contribution to the administration of justice in the Pacific region of Canada.
*Note: This designation has been identified for review. A review can be triggered for one of the following reasons - outdated language or terminology, absence of a significant layer of history, factual errors, controversial beliefs and behaviour, or significant new knowledge.