McGill, Hon. James (1744-1813)

Canadian philanthropist, of Scottish origin. After emigrating to North America he moved to Montréal in 1775. He was interested in the education of the English-speaking community in Canada, and bequeathed his estate and £10,000 to found a college, now known as McGill University.

He was born in Glasgow. Before he settled in Canada he had traded by canoe as far west as Minnesota. In Canada he was a successful merchant, a commissioner of the peace, and a militia officer, as well as a member of the first and third assemblies of Lower Canada. His bequest was made through the Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning, founded in 1801. He married a widow, Charlotte Desrivières.