FRASER, William, Canadian R. C. bishop, born in Scotland about 1790; died in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, 4 October 1857. He was consecrated vicar apostolic of Nova Scotia in 1821, with the title of bishop of Fanes. He devoted himself exclusively to the Scottish members of his flock, rarely stirring from the Scottish settlement of Antigonish, in the northern part of the peninsula. The Irish Catholics complained bitterly of their bishop, and reproached him with taking no interest in them. Finally they laid their complaints before the pope, who erected Halifax into a bishopric with the object of forcing Bishop Fraser to reside in it. Father William Walsh, an Irish priest, was also appointed co adjuror in 1842. The appointment of a coadjutor annoyed Bishop Fraser, who appealed against it to Rome, and in the mean time refused to recognize Father Walsh. In order to settle these difficulties the pope divided the province of Nova Scotia into two dioceses, Antigonish being united to Cape Breton and erected into the diocese of Arishat, with Dr. Fraser as titular bishop.