Born in England, Saunders came to Canada in 1848 and became a manufacturing chemist. 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 originated many promising varieties of fruit and grain and commenced the research which led to the development of Marquis wheat by his son, Charles. Charter member of the Royal Society of Canada and President (1906-07), he was a distinguished member of many learned societies and author of many seminal articles, papers and reports. He died at London.