Lieutenant-Colonel John By, R.E., 1779-1836

Born in London, England, about 1779, By graduated from the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, in 1799. He was attached to the Royal Engineers in Canada (1802-1811) and later served in the Peninsular War. By was sent to Canada in 1826 to superintend the construction of an Ottawa River – Lake Ontario waterway from “Bytown” (Ottawa) to Kingston. The 123-mile-long Rideau Canal, built as a military route and incorporating 47 locks, 16 lakes, two rivers and a 350-foot-long, 60-foot-high dam here at Jones Falls, was completed in 1832. On By’s return to England, charges including the misappropriation of funds, were laid. Although entirely refuted, they essentially ended his career and he retired to his Sussex estate where he died in 1836.

By naquit à Londres, Angleterre, vers 1779. Diplôme de la Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, en 1799, il fut attaché, au Canada, au corps Royal Engineers (1802-1811), et participa ensuite à la guerre d’Espagne. Il revint au Canada en 1826 pour superviser la construction d’un canal, reliant la riviére des Outaouais au lac Ontario, de Bytown (Ottawa) à Kingston. Le canal Rideau, long de 123 miles, construit comme voie militaire, fut terminé en 1832. Il comprend 47 écluses, 16 lacs, 2 riviéres et un barrage de 350 pieds de longeur sur 60 de hauteur, ici, à Jones Falls. De retour en Angleterre, diverses accusations, même de deétournement de fonds, furent portées contre By. Bien qu’entiérement refutées, elles mirent fin à sa carriére. Il se retire dans son domaine de Sussex où il mourut en 1836.