Ruggles Wright (1793 - August 18 1863) was a Canadian lumber merchant, the youngest son of Philemon Wright.

He was born in Woburn, Massachusetts but moved to Canada with his parents while still young. He later joined the family business in the timber trade. In 1829, he built the first timber slide on the Ottawa River to transport logs past the Chaudière Rapids. However, by 1840, a competing slide built on the opposite (Ontario) side of the river had won over most of the business. He also discovered a source of cement which was used in the construction of the Rideau Canal.

In partnership with John Egan, he operated a steamship transporting goods on the Ottawa River.

External links

• http://www.wrightfamily.ca/

1793 births | 1863 deaths | Early Canadian business leaders | Early settlers of the Ottawa area | American Canadians | People from Massachusetts