Richard Blanshard
 Richard Blanshard MA (19 October 1817 – 5 June 1894) was an English barrister and first governor of the Colony of Vancouver Island from its foundation in 1849 to his resignation in 1851.Blanshard was born in London to a wealthy mercantile family and after reading law at Cambridge University served in the army in British India. At the age of 32 a personal connection helped secure Blanshard the post of colonial governor of Vancouver Island.