The cemetery was named Ross Bay Cemetery because it is beside Ross Bay. The bay was named after Isabella Ross who had purchased the land in the 1850s.
Victoria's Ross Bay Cemetery opened in 1873 to serve the burial needs of the growing city of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Overlooking Ross Bay, it is 11 hectares in size (27.5 acres) and has almost 28,000 interments.
Many famous people of Victoria and British Columbia are buried here.
Ross Bay Cemetery is open daily during daylight hours and visitors are welcome.
Amor de Cosmos was the second Premier of British Columbia and the first Premier born in Canada. He was an early critic of the colonial establishment and a strong supporter of Canadian Confederation.
b. August 20, 1825. d. July 4, 1897
Born William Alexander Smith In
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada in
1825, de Cosmos arrived in Victoria
from California in June of 1858. De
Cosmos founded the "British
Colonist" only to sell it in 1863, and
in 1870, start another Victoria
newspaper, "the Standard". His
political career began in 1863 when
he was elected to the Vancouver
Island colonial assembly.
After Canadian Confederation in
1867, de Cosmos was elected to the
British Columbia legislature, and
was at the same time, elected as a
Member of Parliament to Ottawa.
He became the second premier of
B.C. in 1872 and retained his MP's
seat as well. De Cosmos resigned as
B.C. premier in 1874, continuing as
MP for Victoria until 1882.
Born William Alexander Smith In Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1825,
de Cosmos changed his name later in life (translated as "Lover of the
Universe"). He was well-educated, and when he was 28, was attracted to
the goldfields of California, where he became a photographer. He arrived in
Victoria from California in June of 1858. De Cosmos sold his stake in the
Colonist in 1863, but in 1870, started another Victoria newspaper, the
Standard. His political career began in 1863 when he was elected to the
Vancouver Island colonial assembly. After Canadian Confederation in
1867, de Cosmos was elected to the British Columbia legislature and was,
at the same time, elected as a Member of Parliament to Ottawa. He became
the second premier of BC in 1872 and retained his MP's seat as well. De
Cosmos resigned as BC premier in 1874 and died in 1897.
