Tanner was a professor at the Institute of Agriculture in London, before coming to B.C. in 1886 for the Dominion Government, with the task of 'interesting persons of property' to emigrate from England.

Author of:

British Columbia; its agricultural and commercial capabilities and the advantages it offers for emigration puposes (Montreal, Dawson Brothers, 1887)

[BCBW 2004] "Early B.C." "Transient" "1850-1900"