Benjamin Tingley Rogers

Benjamin Tingley Rogers (October 21, 1865 – June 17, 1918) was an American businessman who was the founder of British Columbia Sugar in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Early years Benjamin Tingley Rogers was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, following the American Civil War. His father, Samuel Blythe Rogers was the head of a sugar refinery in Philadelphia. His mother was Clara Augusta Dupuy. In 1869 Benjamin's father, together with his brother-in-law, Senator Henry Sanford, purchased a sugar plantation in Louisiana and built a sugar refinery in New Orleans, staffed by “newly freed slaves.”

Benjamin followed in his father's footsteps into the sugar industry, studying sugar chemistry Standard Refinery Company in Boston after attending the elite Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.

Success BC Sugar was highly successful. In 1910, the trademark B.C. Sugar Refinery—Rogers was registered. Beginning 1913, part of its success was the popularity of Rogers' Golden Syrup using the by-product of the refining process of cane. It was developed by chemist Robert Boyd. Rogers became a wealthy man from the enterprise, building two mansions which are landmarks today; Gabriola on Davie Street, and Shannon on Granville. The couple had four sons, who all succeeded Benjamin as presidents of the company after his death, as well as three daughters. One grandson also was president.

Death B.T. Rogers died of cerebral hemorrhage in his Vancouver mansion on June 17, 1918. He was 52 years old.