William Saunders (1836-1914) National Historic Person
William Saunders was designated as a national historic person in 1952.
Historical importance: expert in scientific agriculture, director of the Experimental farms branch of Department of Agriculture.
Commemorative plaque: Campbellville Memorial Park, 380 Dundas Street, London, OntarioFootnote 1
William Saunders (1836-1914)
Born in England, William Saunders came to Canada in 1848 and became a pharmacist. A recognized expert in scientific agriculture, he was appointed director of the new Experimental Farms Branch of the federal Department of Agriculture in 1886. There, he created many promising varieties of fruit and grain, and began the research which led to the development of Marquis wheat by his son, Charles. Co-founder of the Royal Society of Canada and president in 1906–1907, Saunders was a distinguished member of numerous learned societies and author of many ground-breaking articles, papers, and reports. He lived here.
© William James Topley / Library and Archives Canada / PA-140405
© Parks Canada
The National Program of Historical Commemoration relies on the participation of Canadians in the identification of places, events and persons of national historic significance. Any member of the public can nominate a topic for consideration by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
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