William John Macdonald Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
William John Macdonald
Office:Senator for British Columbia
Term Start:13 December 1871
Term End:13 April 1915
Office2:Mayor of Victoria
Predecessor2:Alexander Rocke Robertson
Successor2:Richard Lewis
Term2:1871
Predecessor3:Lumley Franklin
Successor3:James Trimble
Term Start3:1866
Term End3:1867
Birth Date:29 November 1832
Birth Place:Isle of Skye, Scotland
Death Place:Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Party:Conservative

William John Macdonald (29 November 1832  - 25 October 1916) was a Canadian merchant and politician. He migrated from the UK to the then separate colony of Vancouver Island aboard the Tory, a seven-month voyage from 1850 to 1851. He had been engaged as a clerk for the Hudson's Bay Company which at that time ruled Vancouver Island under a grant from the British. He served as mayor of Victoria, British Columbia, in 1866, 1867 and 1871.

A Conservative, he was appointed to the Senate of Canada on 13 December 1871 on the recommendation of Sir John A. Macdonald. He represented the senatorial division of Victoria until his resignation on 13 April 1915.