George Monro Grant

1835-1902. Canadian minister and educator. Born in Nova Scotia and educated at Pictou Academy, he studied afterward at West River Seminary and Glasgow University. Ordained a minister in the Church of Scotland in 1860, he became pastor of St. Matthew's Church, Halifax, in 1863. In 1877 he was appointed principal of Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, and held that office until his death. Emphasizing very strongly the practical social and political aspects of Christianity, he became a national figure because of his involvement in national and imperial interests, and because of his book Ocean to Ocean (1873). In 1899 he was moderator of his denomination's general assembly, and in 1901 became president of the Royal Society of Canada. Described as “the most influential churchman in Canada of his day,” Grant was known as author, educator, politician, and minister, and was regarded almost as a national institution.