Lieutenant-Colonel John By, R.E., 1779-1836

Photo by contributor Pierre Charron - Posted April, 2012

Plaque Location

England
Borough of Lambeth, London
At Lambeth Town Hall at the head of the grand staircase

Coordinates: N 51 27.658 W 00 06.972

Plaque Text

Born in Lambeth, London, By graduated from the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, in 1799. With the Royal Engineers in Canada (1802-1811) he was engaged in the reconstruction of the fortifications at Quebec and later served in the Peninsular War. In 1826 By was again sent to Canada to superintend construction of an Ottawa River-Lake Ontario waterway. Its eastern terminus was "Bytown", later named Ottawa. The resulting Rideau Canal, an outstanding engineering feat designed primarily for military purposes, was completed in 1832. However, on his return to England, he was charged with spending funds not authorized by the British parliament. Although entirely refuted, this accusation essentially ended his military career and he retired to his Sussex estate, where he died.

Related Ontario plaques
Lieutenant-Colonel John By, R.E.
Rideau Canal 1826-1832

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