The writer's deepest thanks are here expressed to those without whose assistance this story could not have been told. He is grateful to Professor Stephen Leacock for advice and encouragement; to the Principal, the Governors, and the Secretary of McGill, Mr. A. P. S. Glassco (Science, 1901), for permission to examine letters and minutes; to Dr. J. A. Nicholson, (Arts, 1887) for his valuable aid in locating and obtaining access to documents; to the staff of the Redpath Library, especially Miss D. A. Lomer, for their unfailing and patient help in the search for records; to Mr. J. W. Jeakins, Secretary of the Graduates' Society, and to Mr. E. Ardley of the Redpath Museum for kind assistance; to the attendants in Archives for many courtesies; to George B. Fraser, Esq., for permission to photograph prints; to the late Rev. Dr. Robert Campbell whose knowledge and memory of old Montreal was wide and vivid; and particularly to John Lane, Esq., of the Bodley Head for his personal interest and experienced advice in the preparation of this volume. Since the information concerning the ancestry of James McGill is at present meagre, I should be glad if any reader possessing information as to his ancestry and early career would communicate with me in Canada, or with my publisher, Mr. John Lane, The Bodley Head, Ltd., Vigo Street, London, England, so that this section of the book may be amplified in future editions. C. M. MCGILL UNIVERSITY, July, 1921. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. THE ROYAL INSTITUTION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 15 II. THE DAWN OF MCGILL 29 III. DELAY AND DIFFICULTY 44 IV. THE COLLEGE OPENED 73 V. ANXIOUS YEARS 102 VI. THE COLLEGE IN THE FIRST MCGILL BUILDINGS 155 VII. THE STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE 184 VIII. COLLEGE LIFE IN MID-CENTURY 212 IX. SIR WILLIAM DAWSON AND THE MAKING OF MCGILL 221 X. HIGHER EDUCATION FOR WOMEN 248 XI. THE LARGER MCGILL OF OUR DAY 256 EPILOGUE 271 APPENDIX A. (THE WILL OF JAMES MCGILL) 277 APPENDIX B. (THE CHARTER) 281 APPENDIX C. (THE DAWSON MEMORIAL ADDRESS) 291 APPENDIX D. (THE PETERSON MEMORIAL ADDRESS) 299 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS JAMES MCGILL, FOUNDER _Frontispiece_ _From painting attributed to Gilbert Stuart_ FACING PAGE