Keefer, Thomas Coltrin

(1821- )

   Born at Thorold, Ontario. Engaged in the enlargement of the Welland Canal, 1841-1845, and then transferred to the Ottawa River works, 1845-1849. Made a survey of the St. Lawrence rapids, 1850; and prepared the report and plans which resulted in the building of the Victoria bridge at Montreal. Instrumental in securing the deepening of the St. Lawrence channel and the adoption of the standard gauge on Canadian railways. Served as Canadian commissioner at the London exhibitions of 1851 and 1862, and the Paris exhibition of 1878, and also on the International Deep Waterways Commission. Author of a number of articles and papers on engineering and public questions.

   Bib.: Works: Philosophy of Railways; Canals of Canada; Report on Victoria Bridge; Canadian Waterways. See also in Bourinot's bibliography (R. S. C., 1894). For biog., see Morgan, Can. Men; Dent, Can. Por.