The Founder: James McGill, 1744-1820
| 1744 |
Born in Glasgow, October 6, son of an ironsmith. |
|---|---|
| 1756 |
Admitted to the University of Glasgow. |
| 1766 |
Engaged in the fur trade organized from Montreal. |
| 1775 |
Settled in Montreal, commencing a career as a merchant. |
| 1776 |
Married Charlotte Guillimin, widow of Joseph Amable Desrivières. |
| 1792 |
Elected to the first Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada. |
| 1793 |
Named a member of the Governor's Executive Council and received the designation "The Honourable James McGill." |
| 1796 |
Began purchase of the Burnside Estate. |
| 1801 |
The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning (RIAL) was created by the Lower Canada Legislative Assembly. |
| 1811 |
James McGill drew his will, providing inter alia for the bequest in trust to RIAL of the Burnside Estate and £10,000 for the establishment of McGill College. |
| 1812 |
As Commanding Officer of the first Battalion of the Montreal Militia, placed in charge of the defense of Montreal against American invasion. |
| 1813 |
American attacks were defeated at Chateauguay. |
| 1819 |
RIAL began functioning. McGill's heirs disputed the validity of the College bequest, and protracted lawsuits ensued. |