Sir Richard Bonnycastle, 1791-1847

As an officer in the Corps of Royal Engineers, Bonnycastle was trained in engineering, mapmaking, geology and painting. He served in Europe and Nova Scotia before coming to Upper Canada in 1826. The military surveys and related scientific work that he produced while posted at Niagara, Kingston and York contributed to the economic development of the province. Bonnycastle was recalled here in 1837 to supervise completion of the new Fort Henry. His masterful defence of Kingston during the Rebellions of 1837-38 earned him a knighthood. An interested observer of human nature, Richard wrote four books detailing the social life, history and physical features of British North America.