The present book is an attempt to use all the information now available--by no means all presented here but represented by necessary selection--to offer the portrait of a man who emerges as courageous, hard working, shrewd, warmly benevolent in personal relationships, strongly endowed with gifts of leadership, and public spirited to a truly remarkable degree. He was also sensitive to and sympathetic with French Canadian aspirations. Montreal and the province of Quebec owe much to one who enriched, administered, and defended his city and served his country well in critical years.

James McGill is well known as the founder of McGill University but the rest of his accomplishments remain little known. This new biography reveals the fascinating life story of a man who, as fur trader, merchant, public servant, and colonel of the militia, played a significant role in Canada's development.