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James McGill (October 6, 1744 – December 19, 1813) was a British businessman and philanthropist best known for being the founder of McGill University, Montreal. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada for Montreal West in 1792 and was appointed to the Executive Council of Lower Canada in 1793. He was the first honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of The Canadian Grenadier Guards. He was also a prominent member of the Château Clique and one of the original founding members of the Beaver Club. His summer home stood within the Golden Square Mile. == Biography == The McGill family originated in Ayrshire, and had been living in Glasgow for two generations by the time James was born in the family home on Stockwell Street. The McGills were metalworkers, and, from 1715 onward, Burgesses of the city and members of the Hammermen's Guild, James' father having served as Deacon.〔(James McGill of Montreal (1995), by Stanley Frost )〕 James McGill was educated at the University of Glasgow, and soon afterwards left for North America to explore the business opportunities there. By 1766, he was in Montreal, whose trade opportunities had recently been laid open following the British Conquest of New France. He entered the fur trade south of the Great Lakes, at first as a clerk or agent for the Quebec merchant, William Grant of St. Roch.〔A. C. Flick, ed., The Papers of Sir William Johnson, vol. 12 (Albany, 1957), pp. 194-5.〕 By the next year, the firm of "James McGill & Co." was trading at Michilimackinac.〔D A. Armour, ed., Treason? at Michilimackinac (Mackinac Island: Mackinac State Historic Parks, 1967), p. 88; Lart, Canadian Historical Review, vol. 3 (1922), p. 355〕 In 1773, McGill joined with Isaac Todd (who would remain a close lifelong friend) in a trading venture beyond Grand Portage, which was renewed under the name Todd & McGill in 1776.〔Letters, Todd to Edgar, in Edgar Papers (photostats), Library & Archives Canada, MG19 A1, pp. 393, 523.〕 This partnership was important in the formation of what would become the North West Company. Todd & McGill prospered, as one of the main firms supplied by the London commission merchant, John Strettell. The partnership did not participate in the North West Company after 1783, but it continued in the so-called "Southwest trade" in the Mississippi valley until Michilimackinac was handed over to the Americans in 1796. It was also involved in other enterprises, but few business papers have survived, making a detailed account difficult. In November of 1775, McGill was a member of the representation for the citizens of Montreal at the drafting of the articles of capitulation for the city to the invading American army.〔Verreau, L'Abbé. ''Invasion du Canada: Collection de memoires''. (Montreal: Eusèbe Senécal, 1873), 81.〕 McGill was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada for Montreal West in 1792 and appointed to the Executive Council in 1793. He was elected again in 1800 and in Montreal East in 1804. He was the first honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment The Canadian Grenadier Guards, which name is marked upon the replicated cairn that stands before the Arts building of McGill University. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「James McGill」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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