THE LATE PETER REDPATH.
DIED AT CHISELHURST, ENGLAND,
THIS MORNING.
One of Montreal’s Most Beneficent
Citizens—His Munificent Gifts to
McGill—His Connection With
Canadian Industries.
[BY CABLE FROM THE STAR’S SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT IN LONDON.]
LONDON, February 2. —Mr. Peter Redpath died at Chislehurst yesterday.
He Had been ill two or three weeks with a severe cold.
Mr. Peter Redpath at the time of his death was 73 years of age. He was a Canadian by birth, though he resided for several years in England. He resided in the Manor House at Chislehurst, near which place the Empress Eugenie has lived since the death of the Emperor. The deceased gentleman was well and favorably known in this city for his generosity and his munificence. He has done a great deal for the institutions of the city and his name is associated with all great and grand works, which will carry it down to posterity. He was a son of the late John Redpath by his first marriage. The other children, issue of that marriage were Mrs. T. M. Taylor, Mrs. John Dougall, Mrs. G. A. Drummond, Mrs. John Jas. Redpath, Miss Jane Redpath. Miss Jane Redpath is the only survivor of the first marriage. The children of the second marriage were: Mrs. H. T. Bovey, Mrs. Fleet, Mr. Frank Redpath, Mrs. Dennistoun and the late Rev. George Redpath. The deceased gentleman had been associated with the Honorable Senator Drummond since 1854 in the Sugar Refinery business, which was then known as the firm of John Redpath and Son. This was previous to its being made a joint stock company. In 1879 he resigned the presidency, and subsequently he withdrew to England. In 1882 he retired from active participation in business affairs.
He was a director of the Bank of Montreal from 1866 to 1879, but he remained a member of the London Board till the time of his death.
He was connected with the most of the charitable works of this city, and his name will be blessed by many. For a number of years he was president of the Montreal General Hospital, and he always remained as
ONE OF ITS LARGEST SUBSCRIBERS.
and he helped it materially even after his departure for England. He was also a director of the Montreal Rolling Mills, the Canada Sugar Refining Company, of several mining companies of the Eastern Townships, and of the Intercolonial Coal Company. He was greatly interested in the Montreal Telegraph Company and was one of its directorate. He was connected with the development of the most of our Canadian industries and he proved himself of great public spirit. He was distinguished at all times for his probity and integrity; he was recognized as an upright man, true to himself and true to his neighbor. He led one of the most consistent and exemplary of lives. He was a staunch Presbyterian, a member of the Scotch Presbyterian Church, which received several marks of his generosity. He gave to the Crescent street Church several stained windows in memory of his father. The deceased gentleman possessed in his life-time a considerable amount of money, but having no children he tried as much as lay in his power
TO MAKE OTHERS HAPPY.
He acted on the principle that it was better to distribute his own gifts and to see others enjoy them than allow others to distribute his benefits, which would not then cause him the same satisfaction. Nevertheless he leaves a considerable amount of money, the greater part of which is invested in the industries of Canada. He leaves no issue, but his wife survives him. She was Miss Grace Wood, of Manchester, a daughter of the distinguished philanthropist. Flags are flying at half-mast to-day over McGill and over the Bank of Montreal, thus paying a tribute to the man who did so much to build up both and maintain them in their enviable position.
Mr. Peter Redpath has made many princely donations to McGill, this university being to him a special object of care and solicitude. His name with those of the founder, the Molsons, the McDonalds and others, is intimately connected with that institution. If these names had not been written on the pages of its history it would not occupy to-day the enviable position that it does amongst the world’s great universities. Founded by one citizen, it was maintained and extended by the liberality of Mr. Redpath and others. It offers its benefits to all Canada with a success which cannot but be gratifying to these gentlemen, who have striven for this end. So great an expansion of the University in a few years justifies the foresight and munificence of Mr. Redpath, who by his endowments aided in producing it. The donations of money and buildings to McGill are instances of his remarkable generosity in the encouragement of the liberal and professional studies, which cast honor on his name.
Mr. Redpath donated the Peter Redpath Museum as a gift to the University in 1880, and it was opened to the public in 1882. In 1891 he gave the Peter Redpath Library Building, which was opened with so much éclat by the Governor-General and Lady Aberdeen in October last. He endowed the Peter Redpath chair of Natural Philosophy in 1871, granting $20,000. He also donated $10,000 for the expenses of the museum, and an additional sum for improvements. Several other endowments, prizes, and medals are the result of his generosity. He has presented over 3000 volumes to compose the Peter Redpath Collection of Historical Books. These volumes are invaluable and priceless. Some of them cannot be duplicated.