Podcast Series: “Richard Blanshard: A Forgotten Governor”
A Four-Part Series by the Canada History Society with Dr. Barry Gough
The Canada History Society is proud to present a special four-part podcast series, “Richard Blanshard: A Forgotten Governor,” hosted by renowned historian Dr. Barry Gough. This series explores the brief yet consequential tenure of Richard Blanshard, the first governor of Vancouver Island, and his struggles to establish colonial governance in the face of corporate dominance, isolation, and political intrigue.
Episode 1: The Making of a Colonial Governor
In the first episode, Dr. Barry Gough introduces Richard Blanshard’s early life, career, and appointment as governor. Born into a well-connected English family, Blanshard’s path to power was shaped by imperial ambitions and Britain’s need for governance in the remote colony of Vancouver Island.
Listeners will learn about:
- Blanshard’s background and why he was chosen for the role.
- The Hudson’s Bay Company’s dominance in the Pacific Northwest.
- British concerns over American expansion and how Vancouver Island became a formal colony in 1849.
- Blanshard’s long and difficult voyage to the Pacific coast, arriving in 1850 to take charge of a colony barely functioning as a government entity.
This episode sets the stage for Blanshard’s impossible mission—to govern a settlement where private enterprise, not the Crown, ruled supreme.
Episode 2: The Governor in Exile—Blanshard vs. the Hudson’s Bay Company
The second episode explores the intense power struggle between Governor Richard Blanshard and James Douglas, the powerful Chief Factor of the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Victoria.
- The shocking reality of the colony: Blanshard found no infrastructure, no local military presence, and no real governmental authority—only the Hudson’s Bay Company, which operated as the de facto government.
- A reluctant figurehead: While he was appointed as governor, Blanshard had no financial backing or administrative resources, making his job virtually impossible.
- Clashes with James Douglas: Douglas, who was deeply loyal to the Hudson’s Bay Company, ignored many of Blanshard’s directives and effectively sidelined him from decision-making.
- Tensions with the settlers: Frustrated and powerless, Blanshard attempted to mediate disputes between settlers and the HBC but had no means of enforcement, making his authority meaningless.
Dr. Gough paints a vivid picture of a man trapped in his position, isolated from both Britain and the local ruling powers.
Episode 3: Resignation, Legacy, and the Rise of James Douglas
By the third episode, the writing was on the wall—Blanshard had no real power, no allies, and no future in Vancouver Island.
- Health and frustration take their toll: Isolated and suffering from illness, Blanshard resigned after just over a year in office, returning to England in 1851.
- James Douglas takes full control: With Blanshard gone, the Hudson’s Bay Company seized full power, and Douglas was eventually appointed governor himself—combining corporate and government power in one man.
- Did Blanshard fail, or was he set up to fail? Dr. Gough examines whether Blanshard’s failure was inevitable given the circumstances, or whether he lacked the leadership skills necessary to carve out influence in a colony controlled by private enterprise.
This episode explores Blanshard’s larger significance—not as a successful governor, but as a cautionary tale of British colonial mismanagement.
Episode 4: Remembering Richard Blanshard—A Neglected Figure in Canadian History
The final episode reflects on Richard Blanshard’s place in history and asks why he remains largely forgotten despite being the first governor of British Columbia’s first colony.
- How history remembers James Douglas, but not Richard Blanshard: Douglas became a Canadian legend, while Blanshard faded into obscurity.
- Blanshard’s impact on colonial governance: His struggles highlighted the tensions between government authority and corporate power, a theme that would persist throughout British Columbia’s development.
- Why should Canadians remember Blanshard? Dr. Gough discusses how his story is a crucial part of the larger narrative of Canada’s colonial history, even if he was ultimately overshadowed.
This reflective episode provides insight into the imperial ambitions, corporate power struggles, and political miscalculations that shaped British Columbia’s early history.
Final Thoughts
Through this four-part podcast series, Dr. Barry Gough unpacks the complex, difficult, and often-overlooked history of Richard Blanshard, a governor whose failure was as significant as his appointment.
This series is a must-listen for history enthusiasts, scholars, and anyone interested in the complex beginnings of British Columbia’s colonial past.
🔹 Hosted by Dr. Barry Gough
🔹 Produced by the Canada History Society
🔹 Available on all major podcast platforms