George Monro Grant - Principal of Queen's University

Principal of Queen's University

In 1877 Grant was appointed Principal of Queen's College in Kingston, Ontario, 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.