Background
He was born in Colborne, Norfolk County, Upper Canada, the son of Israel Wood Powell and Melinda Boss.
He was born in Colborne, Norfolk County, Upper Canada, the son of Israel Wood Powell and Melinda Boss.
Powell was educated in Portuguese Dover and at McGill University, where he studied medicine.
He served in the Legislative Assembly of Vancouver Island from 1863 to 1866. He set up practice in Portuguese Dover, moving to Victoria, Vancouver Island in 1862. Powell was surgeon for the local fire department and also served in the militia.
Powell was elected to the House of Assembly of Vancouver Island in 1863.
He was defeated when he ran for election in 1866 and the 1868 British Columbia elections. He served as chairman of the General Board of Education from 1867 to 1869.
He was a supporter of union with Canada and brought the first Canadian flag to British Columbia on June 17, 1871 which he presented to the Victoria Fire Department on July 1st. In 1886, Powell became the first president of the Medical Council of British Columbia.
He was also the first chancellor for the University of British Columbia.
Powell died in Victoria at the age of 78. A number of geographical features of British Columbia, including Powell River and Powell Lake, were named in his honour.
He was also a founding member of a freemason lodge there and later served as provincial grand master.