Sir Cecil Edward Denny

Denny, Sir Cecil Edward
Sir Cecil Edward Denny, 6th baronet of Tralee Castle, police officer, Indian agent, author (b in Hampshire, Eng 14 Dec 1850; d at Edmonton 24 Aug 1928). Denny is best known as the author of 2 colourful accounts of life with the North-West Mounted Police - The Riders of the Plains: A Reminiscence of the Early and Exciting Days in the North West (1905) and The Law Marches West (1939).

He joined the force in 1874 and served principally in the Whoop-Up country. Although able, he was undisciplined, and he resigned following a scandal involving a woman. He served as Indian agent at FT WALSH and in Treaty No 7. He was sympathetic to the natives but resigned as a result of a number of factors, including disagreement with departmental policy (including reduction of rations to the natives), staff cuts and the belief that his authority was being undercut. He served as a special Indian agent during the NORTH-WEST REBELLION. Subsequently, he ranched and worked as police scout, packer, guide and fire ranger until 1922, when he was appointed assistant archivist of Alberta; he was dismissed August 1927.

Author A.B. MCCULLOUGH