Oakley, William | Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada

OAKLEY, William (fl. 1860-1886), was the first member of the Royal Institute of British Architects to arrive in British Columbia and to establish a practise there from 1861 to 1865, but no information on his designs can been found. During his residency in Victoria he worked under his own name both there and in New Westminster (British Columbian [New Westminster], 18 May 1864, 2, advert. ). He later formed a partnership with Frederick W. Green (see entry under Green & Oakley) and together they petitioned the Governor of British Columbia for the commission to design the Governor's Residence, but the job was handed to Wright & Saunders (P. Cotton, Vice-Regal Mansions of British Columbia, 1981, 48). A dearth of work may have prompted him to return to London in late 1865; he opened an office on Doughty Street, London and remained active there until 1886 ((R.I.B.A., Directory of British Architects 1834-1914, 2001, ii, 279)