Ruggles Wright

Who was Ruggles Wright?

Ruggles Wright was a Canadian lumber merchant, the youngest son of Philemon Wright.

He was born in Woburn, Massachusetts but moved to Canada with his parents while still young. He later joined the family business in the timber trade. In 1829, he built the first timber slide on the Ottawa River to transport logs past the Chaudière Falls. However, by 1840, a competing slide built on the opposite side of the river had won over most of the business. He also discovered a source of cement which was used in the construction of the Rideau Canal.

His daughter Hannah, married Joseph Merrill Currier, a lumber baron in 1868.

In partnership with John Egan, he operated a steamship transporting goods on the Ottawa River.