Memorable Manitobans: Robert Evans Young (1861-1911)

Surveyor.

Born at Georgetown, Halton County, Canada West (now Ontario) in 1861, son of James Young (1820-1888) and grandson of John Young (1778-1855), he studied surveying with Evans and Bolger in Belleville, Ontario. He came west as a land surveyor in the late 1870s and was responsible for the re-survey of Winnipeg under the Torrens system. He also surveyed and mapped the old trails of Manitoba. He served with the 90th Rifles in the North-West Rebellion. In 1902 he was appointed Superintendent of Railway Lands for the federal government and in 1910 became Chief Geographer of Canada. He was an amateur photographer and the author of several publications, including Canada’s Fertile Northland (1909). In 1887, he married Winnifred Frances Lawe of Dunnville, Ontario and they had four daughters. He died at Ottawa on 24 October 1911.

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Jardine House (115 Middle Gate, Winnipeg)

Sources:

Pioneers and Early Citizens of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Manitoba Library Association, 1971.

We thank Sharon Young for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 26 January 2020

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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