William MacTavish

William Mactavish (29 March 1815 – 23 July 1870) was a Scottish Hudson's Bay Company clerk, accountant, and chief trader. He was also the 21st Hereditary Chief of Clan MacTavish. Mainly known for his dual-position as Governor of Assiniboia, and Governor of Rupert's Land, he played a major role in the development of Western Canada. Mactavish is frequently criticized for his role in the Red River Rebellion.

Biography Early life Mactavish was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on 29 March 1815, to Dugald and Letitia Mactavish. He had 5 brothers and 3 sisters, and has been described as having a certain energy and large personality that is associated with a large family. John George had Mactavish transferred to York Factory in order to work under James Hargrave, who was the Chief Trader of York Factory at the time. Mactavish was very open and clear in his dissatisfaction with the job. Due to his Métis wife, and his career in the HBC and the fur trade, Mactavish had Métis sympathies, and in the political climate of the time, siding with the Métis would create conflict.

In order to adhere to George Simpson's wishes, William was given the title of Governor of Rupert's Land when Simpson died. There was stolen goods and merchandise from the settlement.

William did not formally matriculate the MacTavish chiefly arms at the Court of the Lord Lyon; his death in 1870, two days after returning to Britain from Canada, precluded the opportunity, and the chiefship was thereafter considered dormant by the Lord Lyon. The chiefship remained dormant through several subsequent generations until his sister Letitia's published letters led historian Margaret Arnett MacLeod to identify the family's chiefly descent in the early 1950s, ultimately resulting in Lord Lyon Sir Malcolm Innes of Edingight formally matriculating Edward Stewart Dugald MacTavish of Dunardry as the 26th Chief of Clan MacTavish on 23 July 1997.

Reception and legacy As a governor, he was viewed by the citizens of Red River as having, "admirable traits," "kind considerations," and "great wishes." Further, upon his death, he was vastly grieved, and the New Nation Newspaper wrote that his death will, "spread a gloom of sorrow from one end of this country to the other and to many will bring grief and pain."