By Constance Brissenden
With additional research by Larry Loyie
The History of Metropolitan
Vancouver Hall of Fame represents nearly 500 of the thousands of
people who have contributed to the history of the lower mainland
of BC. They come from all walks of life, all cultural backgrounds
and all occupations. All of the Hall of Famers are now deceased,
and we are proud to include a brief record of their accomplishments
here. For the first time, Metropolitan Vancouver has a biographical
directory that includes many individuals from communities overlooked
in the past.
If you have suggestions for inclusion (remember
the person must be deceased), please contact us HERE.
A
B C
D E
F G
H I J
K L
M N
O P
Q R
S T
U V
W X
Y Z
For Mayors of Vancouver,
click here.
I
Elek Imredy Sculptor b. April 13, 1912, Pest,
Hungary; d. Oct. 22, 1994, Vancouver. Came to Vancouver in 1957
after 1956 Hungarian uprising. Sculptures exhibited in Canada, US,
Europe, including lifesize statue of prime minister Louis St. Laurent
at Ottawa's Supreme Court. His most famous work is Girl in Wetsuit
in Stanley Park, commissioned in 1972 by Vancouver lawyer Douglas
McK. Brown. Created bust of archivist J.S. Matthews at City of Vancouver
Archives, sculpture of Judge Matthew Begbie (Begbie Square) and
Lady of Justice (Vancouver Law Courts). Member, Sculptor's Society
of Canada, the Sculptor's Society of B.C., and Vancouver Historical
Society. Biblio: The Sculpture of Elek Imredy by Terry Noble.
John Benjamin Ireland Actor b. Jan. 30, 1915,
Vancouver, B.C.; d. March 21, 1992, Santa Barbara, Calif. Left Vancouver
at age 7 after his father died in a horse racing accident. Grew
up in Seattle, San Francisco and NY. His first acting job, with
the Free Theatre (NY), paid one cent a day. First of over 200 films
was A Walk in the Sun (1945). Nominated for 1949 Oscar (best supporting
actor in All the King's Men) which Dean Jagger won. Movies: Spartacus,
A Walk in the Sun, Red River. Directors: Hawks, Ford, Kubrick. "A
tough, cynical hero" in his films, he paid almost $2,000 in
1987 for an industry newspaper ad, "I'm an actor, PLEASE ...
let me act," which led to role of Ben Cartwright's brother
in Bonanza: The Next Generation.
John Irving Boat builder b. Nov. 24, 1854,
Portland, Ore.; d. Aug. 10, 1936, Vancouver. Son of Captain William
Irving. Came to New Westminster in 1858. At 16, joined father's
steamboat business; took over on father's death (1872). In 1883,
active head of Canadian Pacific Navigation, a consolidation of the
Irving and Hudson's Bay Company lines. In 1890, launched Columbia
and Kootenai Steam Navigation, buying and building boats. In 1901,
the line was absorbed by CPR's water service as B.C. Coast Service
steamer fleet. John Irving Navigation was sold in 1906 to White
Pass Railway. An MP for eight years.
William Irving Pioneer boatbuilder b. 1816,
Annan, Dumfriesshire, Scotland; d. Aug. 28, 1872, New Westminster.
Began seagoing career as a boy. Came to B.C. in 1858 after selling
Oregon steamboat interests. Joined old partner Alexander S. Murray
and built Governor Douglas, the first B.C.-built steamer; also Captain
Moody, making the first successful trip to Yale in 1861. He sold
out in 1862. From 1862-64, built Irving House, New Westminster's
first official heritage building, now a museum. In 1865 launched
Onward, "the utmost in steamship luxury." Known as "King
of the River." Father of John Irving.
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