M'Gill, James

M'Gill, James, philanthropist, was born in Glasgow, 6th October 1744, and died in Montreal, Canada, 19th December 1813. He emigrated to Canada before the American revolution, engaged for some time in the North-west fur trade, and, subsequently settling in Montreal, became a successful merchant there. He was for many years a member of the Lower Canada Assembly, and subsequently a member of the legislative and executive councils. He was noted for philanthropy. He bequeathed to the college in Montreal that bears his name property valued at £30,000 and £10,000 in money; but, in consequence of the increased value of land, these figures convey a very inadequate idea of the present value of his gift to M'Gill College.