James McGill, the man whose vision would lead to the creation of the University that bears his name, was born in Glasgow in 1744, the eldest son of a Scottish ironsmith.

Sometime before 1766, McGill immigrated to North America and entered the rough and tumble world of the fur trade. He spent much of the following nine years in almost constant danger, navigating the rivers and lakes of the Great Lakes frontier, over-wintering in unmapped wilderness and living off the land.

By 1775, McGill had established himself as a successful merchant, trading in furs, ammunition and general goods and eventually became one of the wealthiest men in Montreal.

McGill's dedication to public service distinguished him from many of his fur-trading contemporaries. A volunteer Colonel with the Montreal militia, he led the defence of Montreal during the War of 1812. He served as a city magistrate for many years, making him part of a council that was the de facto government of Montreal. He was also a member of a committee that reported on the need for a Legislative Assembly for the colony of Lower Canada, to which he would be elected three times.

Always a visionary, McGill was determined to create a rigorous system of education for Lower Canada. During his time as a legislator, McGill participated in the debates that would lead to the establishment of the Royal Institute for the Advancement of Learning (RIAL), a body designed to establish a formal educational system in the colony.

Childless himself, McGill took great care of the welfare of others, including his step-children and the orphan daughter of a friend. This ecumenical and generous spirit manifested itself in his final will, which, after his death in 1813, revealed that McGill had left a bequest to the RIAL with instructions that a college should be formed.

Spurred on by the gift, the RIAL became the governing body for McGill College, which was officially established in 1821.