K. Douglas Munro, the Victoria-based editor of Fur Trade Letters of Willie Traill 1864-1893 (University of Alberta Press, 2006), is the great-grandson of William Edward Traill, the son of Catharine Parr Traill, author of The Backwoods of Canada (1836) and nephew of Susanna Moodie, author of Roughing it in the Bush (1853). As an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company, Willie Traill worked as a fur trader in the Canadian West for thirty years, marrying Harriet McKay, eldest daughter of Chief Factor William McKay, and fathering twelve children. He ended his career as Chief Trader at Fort St. James in charge of the New Caledonia district. His letters home between 1864 and 1893 were gathered and organized by his grandson, T.R. (Pat) McCloy, who encouraged Munro to prepare them for publication.

BOOKS:

Fur Trade Letters of Willie Traill 1864-1893 (University of Alberta Press, 2006). $34.95 0-88864-460-4

PHOTO: Willie Traill

[BCBW 2006] "1850-1900"