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Francis Rattenbury, 1867-1935 Architect- Chronology
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Francis Rattenbury with wife Alma and son John, Bournemouth, England, early 1930s

Francis Rattenbury with wife Alma and son John, Bournemouth, England, early 1930s
Reproduced with permission of Anthony Barrett, Vancouver

British Columbia Parliament Building, Victoria, circa 2000

British Columbia Parliament Buildings, Victoria, circa 2000
Photo: John Yanyshyn, Visions West Photography

1867
Born on October 11 in Yorkshire, England.

1885
Apprentices with his uncles’ architectural firm.

1892
Emigrates to British Columbia and wins a commission
to design the province’s Parliament Buildings.

1898
Marries Florence Eleanor Nunn, with whom
he has two children.

1901
Becomes architect for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), Western Division.

1903
Is commissioned by the CPR to design the Empress Hotel in Victoria.

1918
Career declines with the collapse of Victoria’s expansion.

1925
Scandalizes Victoria by divorcing his first wife
and marrying Alma Pakenham, with whom he has
one child.

1929
Ostracized by Victoria society, returns to England
with his second wife and family.

1935
Is murdered on March 24 by his chauffeur,
Alma’s lover.


Empress Hotel, Victoria, 2006

Empress Hotel, Victoria, 2006
Fairmont Empress Hotel

Francis and Alma Rattenbury after their wedding, 1925

Francis and Alma Rattenbury after their wedding, 1925
Reproduced with permission of Anthony A. Barrett, Vancouver

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