Memorable Manitobans: William Ogilvie (1849-1912)

Dominion astronomer.

Born in Ottawa, he was educated locally. He came west as an engineer in 1875 and worked in the Dauphin region. He was made a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 1891. In 1896 he became Dominion astronomer. He became commissioner of police in the Yukon while working there in 1897 and then commissioner of the territory in 1898, resigning in 1901. Ogilvie was working on a book on the Yukon when he died at Winnipeg on 13 November 1912, of septic poisoning.

Sources:

“William Ogilvie died this morning”, Manitoba Free Press, 13 November 1912, page 1.

Dictionary of Manitoba Biography by J. M. Bumsted, Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 1999.

This profile was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Profile revised: 23 March 2012

A collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Send corrections and additions to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Suggest a Memorable Manitoban  |  Sources  |  Acknowledgements Support the MHS and