The Gold Rush involved a wide range of people across different regions and periods, including key prospectors, entrepreneurs, and notable figures.
California Gold Rush (1848-1855)
- James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, sparking the rush. He worked for John Sutter, who owned the land.
- Edward Hargraves was involved in the Australian Gold Rush but had previously sailed to California for its gold rush experience.
- Thousands of "Forty-Niners" (the fortune seekers of 1849) came from across the US and around the world to California.
- Other notable people include Sam Brannan, who publicized the gold discovery, and several entrepreneurs who profited indirectly.
- The rush caused a population explosion in California and contributed to its rapid statehood.
Australian Gold Rush
- Edward Hargraves played a pivotal role by discovering gold near Bathurst, New South Wales in 1851.
- He worked with John Lister and the Tom brothers in the initial find.
- The rush attracted many miners and settlers, fundamentally changing Australia’s society.
Klondike Gold Rush (1896-1899)
- Figures such as Jack London, Wyatt Earp, Bill McPhee (saloons and support), Jefferson “Soapy” Smith (crime boss), Clarence “C.J.” Berry (successful prospector), Harriet Pullen (businesswoman), and Sam Steele (North-West Mounted Police superintendent) were involved.
- This gold rushled to the settlement and development of Yukon territory.
British Columbia Gold Rush
- William “Billy” Barker was a notable prospector who struck gold in 1862, leading to a long coal and gold mining era in British Columbia.
- Many immigrants, including from Hong Kong and around the world, came to the Fraser River goldfields.
In summary, the Gold Rushes attracted a broad set of individuals including prospectors, entrepreneurs, law enforcement, and opportunists, from different parts of the world, across multiple regions and gold rush events.