Printed: 2013-05-18
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Tansley, William
Identity area
Type of entity
Person
Authorized form of name
Tansley, William
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Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
1859-1957
History
William “Bill” Tansley (1859‐1957) was born in Staffordshire, England. Apprenticed in a lawyer’s office and as a coach‐builder, he later took up drawing and sign‐painting. He emigrated to Canada in 1903, living first in Dundurn, Saskatchewan. The following year Tansley moved to British Columbia and worked at a series of jobs before coming to the University of British Columbia as a night watchman in 1916. He later assumed responsibility for general maintenance, repairs and janitorial services at the Fairview campus. Well‐read and a natural story‐teller, he was well‐liked by students and respected by faculty. He later became curator of the Burnett Ethnological Museum located in the Library Building.
