George Monro Grant. By William Lawson Grant and Frederick Hamilton.
(T. C. and E. C. Jack. 12s. 6d. net.)—The personality of G. M. Grant (1835-1902) was an important factor for many years in Canadian affairs, ecclesiastical, academical, and political. He began his ministerial work in an outlying region in 1861, and was transferred to Halifax in 1863. Here began his interest in academical affairs, for he did much to develop the existing founda- tion of Dalhousie College; and his political activity followed soon after, for he interested himself greatly in the scheme of Confederation, and had no small share in the carrying of it. In 1878 he was transferred to the principalship of Queen's College, and worked with all his heart, not a little to the damage of health and personal comfort, in enlarging its resources. After a while the question of the Canadian Pacific Railway became urgent, and Grant threw himself into the plan of extending it across the Rockies with much energy. Nor was he content with advocating it by pamphlets and lectures. He made the journey himself with the exploring party, being "a member of the first party to travel from Calgary to the coast by the new route." Another question of the day was annexation to the States. Principal Grant was firmly opposed to the policy, and, indeed, quarrelled over it with an old friend who is its most noted advocate. In fact, there was nothing in which he did not interest himself. His sympathies were in the main Conservative, but he could not be relied upon by party leaders. One of them told 'him frankly enough that he was not the kind of supporter whom he cared to have. The joint authors of this book have given us a vivid picture of a remarkable man. Not the least interesting chapter in the biography is that which is headed "With the Students." It shows the man, and shows him well, as a teacher and leader.
Previous page
