Watkin
SIR EDWARD WILLIAM, warehouse from the time he was 10 He was engaged in his father's London years old, till 1845, when he was appointed secretary to the Trent Valley Railroad Company. From this post he of the London and Northwestern Compointed secretary to the Trent Valley pany, director and chairman of the Manof the London and Northwestern Comway, president of the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada, chairman of the South Eastern, and director of the Great Western and Great Eastern Companies.
While he was president of the Canadian road he undertook, at the instance of the Duke of Newcastle, negotiations with the five British North American provthe Confederation Act and the establishinces, which resulted in the passage of ment of the union between the provinces.
Vol. X WATKINS GLEN For this service he was knighted. He was intimate with Disraeli, Cobden, and Salisbury, and had been a friend to Dickens. He died in London, April 14, 1901.