Trutch, Joseph William

TRUTCH, Joseph William, surveyor/engineer, lt gov 1871–76 (b 18 Jan 1826, Somerset, England; d 4 March 1904, Somerset). Trained as an engineer, he immigrated to the US in 1849 and 10 years later moved to VICTORIA, where he found work as a surveyor and road builder. He undertook several projects on the BC mainland, including the construction of the ALEXANDRA BRIDGE at SPUZZUM and construction of parts of the CARIBOO WAGON ROAD. He was elected to the legislative council in 1861. As commissioner of lands and works from 1864 to 1871, he was responsible for creating some of the first RESERVES for FIRST NATIONS. He shared the racist assumptions of his day and ignored aboriginal claims to owning the land (see ABORIGINAL RIGHTS). An advocate of CONFEDERATION with Canada, he was one of the representatives sent to Ottawa in 1870 to negotiate terms. On 14 Aug 1871 he became the new province's first LT GOV, at age 45 the youngest person ever to hold the position. He was a leading critic of responsible government—the principle that cabinet is accountable to an elected legislature—and resisted attempts to democratize government. At his own request he retired after one term of office. In 1877 he received a knighthood but continued to be active, serving as the federal government's agent in BC during the 1880s. Following his wife's death in 1895 he returned to live in England.