William Pope 1811-1902
Text from the plaque
William Pope grew up in the lush countryside of southern England and studied painting at the Academy of Art, London. Reports of abundant wildlife drew the keen sportsman and naturalist to Upper Canada in 1834. After three extended visits he settled permanently with his family near Port Ryerse in 1859. Financially independent, Pope spent his days hunting, sketching and painting the local flora and fauna. His watercolours of birds are compared to those of John James Audubon. Along with his paintings, Pope's diaries and journals provide a detailed record of the wildlife once plentiful in this region. Most of his works are now held by the Metropolitan Toronto Reference Library.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The County of Norfolk
On the south side of Front Road
at the entrance to Norfolk Conservation Area
1.23 km west of Road 57 in Port Ryerse, street number 3065
Also recorded for this place: The County of Norfolk
N 42 45.037 W 80 16.271
Recorded August 2004. Check current access before visiting.
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Where it stands
Visitors' notes
March 7, 2012
The Eva Brook Donly Museum & Archives in Simcoe has a number of Pope's paintings in its collection.