Accession Number

2005.016.008.001

Description

a) an easel-type picture frame, the red leather covering stretched over a solid wooden fame, on the front are two gilded decorative borders, one a simple alternating leaf motif following the outside edge, the inside edge a more complex pattern of acanthus vine, the back panel (27.2 cm H X 19.5 cm L) slides downward to allow insertion of the photograph; b) a black and white photograph of Hon. James Dunsmuir about age 50, his head slightly turned, well-groomed with graying short straight hair and beard, wearing a dark suit jacket, white shirt with a stand-up collar, his necktie exposed around the neckline, the image behind an oval matte.

Narrative

James Dunsmuir was born July 8th, 1851 in Fort Vancouver, Oregon Territory. He died June 6th, 1920, in the main lodge of the Dunsmuir family compound on the Cowichan River. He was the son of Robert Dunsmuir (1825-1889) and Joan Dunsmuir (1827-1908). James married Laura Miller Surles and had ten children. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for the Comox district, elected1898. He served as Premier of British Columbia from 1900 to 1902 and Lieutenant-Governor from 1906 to 1909.

History of Use

The object originally belonged to the donor's grandfather, Guy Mortimer Audain (1864-1940) and grandmother, Sarah Byrd Dunsmuir (1878-1925) (Mrs. Guy Audain) . Sarah was the eldest daughter of Hon. James and Laura Dunsmuir. James Dunsmuir (1851-1920) was the son of Robert (1825-1889) and Joan Dunsmuir (1827-1908). This photograph has probably been in Victoria since at least the 1950's.

Date

circa 1908

Dimensions

22.5 x 16.7 cm

Material

Paper, matboard