George Munro
Encyclopedia
George Munro was a Canadian educator and philanthropist from Nova Scotia
. He was born in West River
, Pictou County
, Nova Scotia
. After basic schooling he became an apprentice at the age of 12 with a local newspaper known as The Observer. After two years he continued his education attending the New Glasgow School (1839 - 1842). After this he taught for a year to raise enough money to attend Pictou Academy
.
Around 1850, Munro moved to Halifax
and taught natural philosophy
and mathematics
at the Free Church Academy. He eventually became the school's principal before leaving for New York City
in 1856. Five years later in 1861, he joined the publishing firm Irwin P. Beadle and Company. In 1863 the firm broke up and Munro entered in a partnership with Beadle and ended up owning the company a year later.
Munro became rich from his publishing company and in 1879 began donating to Dalhousie University
under the influence of his brother-in-law, a member of the university's Board of Governors. At the time Dalhousie's total income was only $6,600, and the university was in danger of shutting down. In all Munro gave approximately $333,000 to the university (about $8 million in today's funds) which included endowed professorships and bursaries.
To commemorate his generosity, a university holiday
, Munro Day, is celebrated each year on the first Friday of February.
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 born in West River
West River, Nova Scotia
West River is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in Pictou County .-References:*...
, Pictou County
Pictou County, Nova Scotia
Pictou County is a county in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. It was established in 1835, and was formerly a part of Halifax County from 1759 to 1835. It had a population of 46,513 people in 2006, which represents a decline of 6.3 percent from 1991. It is the sixth most populous county in Nova...
, 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...
. After basic schooling he became an apprentice at the age of 12 with a local newspaper known as The Observer. After two years he continued his education attending the New Glasgow School (1839 - 1842). After this he taught for a year to raise enough money to attend 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...
.
Around 1850, Munro moved to Halifax
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...
and taught natural philosophy
Natural philosophy
Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature , is a term applied to the study of nature and the physical universe that was dominant before the development of modern science...
and mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at the Free Church Academy. He eventually became the school's principal before leaving for New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1856. Five years later in 1861, he joined the publishing firm Irwin P. Beadle and Company. In 1863 the firm broke up and Munro entered in a partnership with Beadle and ended up owning the company a year later.
Munro became rich from his publishing company and in 1879 began donating to Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
under the influence of his brother-in-law, a member of the university's Board of Governors. At the time Dalhousie's total income was only $6,600, and the university was in danger of shutting down. In all Munro gave approximately $333,000 to the university (about $8 million in today's funds) which included endowed professorships and bursaries.
To commemorate his generosity, a university holiday
Holiday
A Holiday is a day designated as having special significance for which individuals, a government, or a religious group have deemed that observance is warranted. It is generally an official or unofficial observance of religious, national, or cultural significance, often accompanied by celebrations...
, Munro Day, is celebrated each year on the first Friday of February.