Douglas, James, 1803-1877

Sir James Douglas (1803-1877) worked for the North West Company under Dr. McLauglin at Fort Vancouver and later succeeded him as chief factor. In 1849 he moved to Victoria and served as governor of the Hudson's Bay Company on Vancouver Island until 1859, when he as appointed governor of British Columbia.

From the description of Letters, 1839, 1847. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702127601

James Douglas is a legendary figure in British Columbia, from his fur trade days at Fort St. James to his dual governorship of Vancouver Island and British Columbia.

From the guide to the James Douglas journal, 1840, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)

Douglas, from 1819, served the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company, came to New Caledonia in 1825, was appointed to the Columbia District in 1829, and after Dr. John McLoughlin's retirement in 1846, served with Peter Skene Ogden and John Work on a Board of Management to oversee the Company's affairs on the Pacific Coast. When the British government granted Vancouver Island to the Company in 1849, Douglas became the Company's agent there, and subsequently governor. He jointly served the British government and the Company until 1858, when he became first governor of the Crown Colony of British Columbia, so continuing until 1864.

From the description of Sir James Douglas private papers, 1827-1861. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 215473319