McGill, James (1744-1813), a wealthy Canadian merchant known for his philanthropy (charity), founded McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. McGill was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on Oct. 6, 1744. He settled in Montreal in 1770 and made a fortune in the fur trade. He willed money and land for the establishment of McGill University, which was chartered in 1821 and opened in 1829. He died on Dec. 19, 1813.
