William Fernie

William Fernie

William Fernie, prospector, miner, entrepreneur (b at Kimbolton, Eng 2 Apr 1837; d at Victoria 15 May 1921). After travelling through Australasia and South America, he came to Vancouver Island in 1860. He soon moved to the Kootenay district, where he worked as a miner, cattle rancher and in various provincial government posts, including that of gold commissioner 1873-82. In the summer of 1887, with his brother Peter, Fernie discovered coal while laying a trail through the CROWSNEST PASS. He became an original director of the Crow's Nest Pass Coal Co, promoter of the BC Southern Railway and founder of the BC city that bears his name. A bachelor, he retired to Victoria in 1906, where he was noted for his beautiful Oak Bay home and his philanthropy.