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