George Monro Grant
Encyclopedia
George Monro Grant, C.M.G. (December 22, 1835 – May 10, 1902) was a Canadian church minister, writer
, and political activist. He served as principal
of Queen's College, Kingston
, Ontario
for 25 years, from 1877 until 1902.
, Pictou County, Nova Scotia
. He was educated at the Pictou Academy
and the anti-burgher seminary in West River in Nova Scotia
, and, from 1853 to 1860, in Scotland
at the University of Glasgow
, where he had a brilliant academic career. Having entered the ministry of the Church of Scotland
in 1861, he returned to serve in Nova Scotia
and Prince Edward Island
, before being called to the St Matthew's congregation in Halifax, Nova Scotia
, where he was minister from 1863 to 1877.
was the province most strongly opposed to federal union. Grant threw the whole weight of his great influence in favour of Canadian confederation
, and his oratory played an important part in securing the success of the movement. When the consolidation of the Dominion by means of railway construction was under discussion in 1872, Grant traveled across Canada, from the Atlantic Ocean
to the Pacific Ocean
, with the engineers, including lifelong friend, Sir Sandford Fleming
, who surveyed the route of the Canadian Pacific Railway
. Grant's book Ocean to Ocean (1873) was one of the first things that opened the eyes of Canadians to the value of the immense heritage they enjoyed. He never lost an opportunity, whether in the pulpit or on the platform, of pressing on his listeners that the greatest future for Canada lay in unity with the rest of the British Empire
; and his broad statesmanlike judgment made him an authority which politicians of all parties were glad to consult.
; not all of his contemporaries in the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in the Maritime Provinces of British North America joined with him in this new group, that eventually elected him Moderator
of their General Assembly in 1889.
, by the Third General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada
.
Through Grant's efforts and influence, Queen's expanded from a small denominational college into a large and influential educational centre. He attracted to it an exceptionally able body of professors, whose influence in speculation and research was widely felt during the quarter of a century that he remained at its head. Grant's great friend Sir Sandford Fleming served as chancellor
of Queen's for most of Grant's tenure. Grant served as President of the Royal Society of Canada
from 1890 to 1891.
In 1888 Grant visited Australia
, New Zealand
and South Africa
. The effect of this experience was to strengthen still further the imperialism
which was the guiding principle of his political opinions. On the outbreak of the South African War
in 1899, Grant was at first disposed to be hostile to the policy of British Prime Minister Lord Salisbury
and Joseph Chamberlain
; but his eyes were soon opened to the real nature of President Kruger
's government, and he enthusiastically welcomed and supported the national feeling which sent men from the outlying portions of the British Empire
to assist in upholding British supremacy in South Africa. Grant did not live to see the conclusion of peace, his death occurred at Kingston, Ontario
on the 10th of May 1902.
, Principal Grant was visited by the Prince of Wales
, the future King George V
, who was touring Canada following the death of Queen Victoria earlier that year. The Prince awarded Grant a British decoration—the Order of St Michael and St George
-- in honour of his achievements. This medal, which went missing for many years, was rediscovered in 2008.
At the time of his death The Times
observed; that it is acknowledged on all hands that in him the Dominion has lost one of the ablest men that it has yet produced.
In 1872 Grant married Jessie Lawson (granddaughter of the first president of the Bank of Nova Scotia, William Lawson
). Among their descendants was their grandson the philosopher George Parkin Grant
; their great-grandson Michael Ignatieff
was formerly the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
.
Grant Hall
, a prominent clock tower and meeting hall at Queen's, is named in his honour.
Grant also published several volumes of sermons and lectures.
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, and political activist. He served as principal
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of Queen's College, Kingston
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
for 25 years, from 1877 until 1902.
Early life, education
Grant was born in StellartonStellarton, Nova Scotia
-External links:*...
, Pictou County, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
. He was educated at the Pictou Academy
Pictou Academy
Pictou Academy , founded in 1816 by the late Dr. Thomas McCulloch, is a secondary school in Pictou, Nova Scotia. Prior to the twentieth century, it was a liberal nonsectarian college, a grammar school, an academy and then a secondary school. Pictou Academy's current principal is James Ryan. The...
and the anti-burgher seminary in West River in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, and, from 1853 to 1860, in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, where he had a brilliant academic career. Having entered the ministry of the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
in 1861, he returned to serve in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
and Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
, before being called to the St Matthew's congregation in Halifax, Nova Scotia
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, where he was minister from 1863 to 1877.
Supports Confederation, railway development
He quickly gained a high reputation as a preacher and as an eloquent speaker on political subjects. In 1867, Nova ScotiaNova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
was the province most strongly opposed to federal union. Grant threw the whole weight of his great influence in favour of Canadian confederation
Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
, and his oratory played an important part in securing the success of the movement. When the consolidation of the Dominion by means of railway construction was under discussion in 1872, Grant traveled across Canada, from the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
to the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
, with the engineers, including lifelong friend, Sir Sandford Fleming
Sandford Fleming
Sir Sandford Fleming, was a Scottish-born Canadian engineer and inventor, proposed worldwide standard time zones, designed Canada's first postage stamp, a huge body of surveying and map making, engineering much of the Intercolonial Railway and the Canadian Pacific Railway, and was a founding...
, who surveyed the route of the Canadian Pacific Railway
Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway , formerly also known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a historic Canadian Class I railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, which began operations as legal owner in a corporate restructuring in 2001...
. Grant's book Ocean to Ocean (1873) was one of the first things that opened the eyes of Canadians to the value of the immense heritage they enjoyed. He never lost an opportunity, whether in the pulpit or on the platform, of pressing on his listeners that the greatest future for Canada lay in unity with the rest of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
; and his broad statesmanlike judgment made him an authority which politicians of all parties were glad to consult.
Church leadership
He was very involved with the 1875 Union of the four Presbyterian groups that become the Presbyterian Church in CanadaPresbyterian Church in Canada
The Presbyterian Church in Canada is the name of a Protestant Christian church, of presbyterian and reformed theology and polity, serving in Canada under this name since 1875, although the United Church of Canada claimed the right to the name from 1925 to 1939...
; not all of his contemporaries in the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in the Maritime Provinces of British North America joined with him in this new group, that eventually elected him Moderator
Moderator of the General Assembly
The Moderator of the General Assembly is the chairperson of a General Assembly, the highest court of a presbyterian or reformed church. Kirk Sessions and Presbyteries may also style the chairperson as moderator....
of their General Assembly in 1889.
Principal of Queen's University
In 1877 Grant was appointed Principal of Queen's College in Kingston, OntarioKingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
, by the Third General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada
Presbyterian Church in Canada
The Presbyterian Church in Canada is the name of a Protestant Christian church, of presbyterian and reformed theology and polity, serving in Canada under this name since 1875, although the United Church of Canada claimed the right to the name from 1925 to 1939...
.
Through Grant's efforts and influence, Queen's expanded from a small denominational college into a large and influential educational centre. He attracted to it an exceptionally able body of professors, whose influence in speculation and research was widely felt during the quarter of a century that he remained at its head. Grant's great friend Sir Sandford Fleming served as chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of Queen's for most of Grant's tenure. Grant served as President of the Royal Society of Canada
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
from 1890 to 1891.
In 1888 Grant visited Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. The effect of this experience was to strengthen still further the imperialism
Imperialism
Imperialism, as defined by Dictionary of Human Geography, is "the creation and/or maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural, and territorial relationships, usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination." The imperialism of the last 500 years,...
which was the guiding principle of his political opinions. On the outbreak of the South African War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
in 1899, Grant was at first disposed to be hostile to the policy of British Prime Minister Lord Salisbury
Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury
Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, KG, GCVO, PC , styled Lord Robert Cecil before 1865 and Viscount Cranborne from June 1865 until April 1868, was a British Conservative statesman and thrice Prime Minister, serving for a total of over 13 years...
and Joseph Chamberlain
Joseph Chamberlain
Joseph Chamberlain was an influential British politician and statesman. Unlike most major politicians of the time, he was a self-made businessman and had not attended Oxford or Cambridge University....
; but his eyes were soon opened to the real nature of President Kruger
Paul Kruger
Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger , better known as Paul Kruger and affectionately known as Uncle Paul was State President of the South African Republic...
's government, and he enthusiastically welcomed and supported the national feeling which sent men from the outlying portions of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
to assist in upholding British supremacy in South Africa. Grant did not live to see the conclusion of peace, his death occurred at Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
on the 10th of May 1902.
Legacy
Late in 1901, while lying ill in Kingston General HospitalKingston General Hospital
The Kingston General Hospital is a teaching hospital affiliated with Queen's University located in Kingston, Ontario. The hospital is a partner within Kingston's university hospitals, delivering health care, conducting research and training health care professionals.As the oldest public hospital...
, Principal Grant was visited by the Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
, the future King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
, who was touring Canada following the death of Queen Victoria earlier that year. The Prince awarded Grant a British decoration—the Order of St Michael and St George
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
-- in honour of his achievements. This medal, which went missing for many years, was rediscovered in 2008.
At the time of his death The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
observed; that it is acknowledged on all hands that in him the Dominion has lost one of the ablest men that it has yet produced.
In 1872 Grant married Jessie Lawson (granddaughter of the first president of the Bank of Nova Scotia, William Lawson
William Lawson (banker)
William Lawson was a businessman, office holder, justice of the peace, and politician. He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and was the son of John Lawson and Sarah Shatford.-Business and public career:...
). Among their descendants was their grandson the philosopher George Parkin Grant
George Grant (philosopher)
George Parkin Grant, OC, FRSC was a Canadian philosopher, teacher and political commentator, whose popular appeal peaked in the late 1960s and 1970s. He is best known for his nationalism, political conservatism, and his views on technology, pacifism, Christian faith, and abortion...
; their great-grandson Michael Ignatieff
Michael Ignatieff
Michael Grant Ignatieff is a Canadian author, academic and former politician. He was the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition from 2008 until 2011...
was formerly the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
.
Grant Hall
Grant Hall
Grant Hall is a landmark on the campus of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It is located on University Avenue, just north of Bader Lane....
, a prominent clock tower and meeting hall at Queen's, is named in his honour.
Major works
- Ocean to Ocean (1873)
- Advantages of Imperial Federation (1889)
- Our National Objects and Aims (1890)
- Religions of the World in Relation to Christianity (1894)
Grant also published several volumes of sermons and lectures.
External links
- Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
- George Munro Grant fonds at Queen’s University Archives
- Grant, George M. (1898). Principal Grant's letters on prohibition: as they appeared in the Toronto daily "Globe", December, 1897, January, 1898. Grant opposed prohibition.