Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Walker, William (merchant)

WALKER, William, Canadian merchant, b. in Scotland in 1793 ; d. in Quebec, Canada, 18 May, 1863. He went to Canada in 1815, engaged in business, and was a partner in the firms of Forsyth, Richardson and Co., Montreal, and of Forsyth, Walker and Co., Quebec. He was part owner and one of the building committee of the ocean steamer "Royal William," which was constructed at Quebec and was the first steam vessel that crossed the Atlantic from British America. In 1848 he retired from business. In 1839 Mr. Walker was appointed a member of the special council of Canada, and in 1842 he became a life member of the legislative council by royal mandamus. He raised and commanded the Quebec volunteer rifle corps, was the first president of the Quebec and Riviere du Loup railway company, president of the Quebec board of trade, and deputy master of Trinity house. He was the first chancellor of the University of Bishop's college, Lennoxville, Canada East, which conferred on him the honorary degree of D. C. L.