Installation of McGill Principals Virtual Exhibit
Go to Site Map
 
Exhibit Home The Installation Ceremony Past Installations The Gallery: Papers of Governance For Researchers Credits
You are here > Home > The Gallery: Papers of Governance : 1821 Charter
MENU
James McGill's Will

1821 Charter

Governors Minute Book

1852 Charter and Seal

Coat-of-Arms

 
The Gallery: 1821 Charter

In order to meet the requirements of James McGill's bequest, the RIAL had to secure a charter for the incorporation of the College. Following the transfer of the Burnside estate to the RIAL by the Trustees in 1820, a Royal Charter was granted by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor General of Canada on March 31, 1821, providing for the establishment of "McGill College." The Charter provided that the College should be deemed and taken as a University with the power of conferring degrees, and the Visitors of the College were the members of the RIAL.

Certified copies of the 1821 Charter, issued in 1833 by the Secretary and Registrar of Lower Canada, were transferred to the McGill University Archives in 1967. The copies were found in the Christ Church Cathedral vault (Montreal Gazette, May 17, 1940) and returned to then Principal James. The article speculates that Rev. John Bethune, Rector of Christ Church and Principal of McGill University (1835-1846), would have secured the Charter with the Church.

Please note: These large image files will open in a new browser window. Click on image to view.

1821 Charter. MUA RG 4, c. 302
1821 Charter, Page 1. MUA RG 4, c. 302. 1821 Charter, Page 2. MUA RG 4, c. 302. 1821 Charter, Page 3. MUA RG 4, c. 302.
Charter, Page 1 Charter, Page 2 Charter, Page 3
1821 Charter, Page 4. MUA RG 4, c. 302. 1821 Charter, Page 5. MUA RG 4, c. 302. 1821 Charter, Page 6. MUA RG 4, c. 302.
Charter, Page 4 Charter, Page 5 Charter, Page 6
1821 Charter, Page 7. MUA RG 4, c. 302. 1821 Charter, Page 8. MUA RG 4, c. 302.
Charter, Page 7 Charter, Page 8

Top

 
HOME |  The Installation Ceremony |  Past Installations |  The Gallery: Papers of Governance | 
For Researchers |  Credits |  Site Map
Back to Top Contact the Web Manager
This Virtual Exhibit is maintained by the McGill University Archives | McGill University , © 2003