The Molson family of Montreal, Quebec, Canada was founded by John Molson who emigrated to Canada in 1782 from his home in Lincolnshire, England.

John Molson's success saw him and his offspring build Canada's largest brewery (Molson), finance its first steamboat and build the first railroad. His sons established Molson's Bank which printed its own currency and in the city of Montreal that was overwhelmingly Roman Catholic, they financed the construction of a Protestant church.

Senator Hartland Molson, a businessman and statesman, expanded the family's brewing operations nationwide, purchased the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey club, and served as Governor of McGill University.

[edit] Philanthropy

Major contributors to the economy, the Molson family gave back by creating the Molson Foundation to fund philanthropic projects.

William, Thomas and John Molson, Jr. provided McGill University's first endowed chair, the Molson Chair in English Language and Literature. In addition, in 1860 William Molson donated Molson Hall, the west wing of the university's Arts Building. Later generations of the Molson family provided funds to expand the university's medical buildings as well as a gift of land for the Redpath Library.

The Molson Family Foundation, together with several members of the family, contributed the major part of the funds required for the construction of the Molson Fine Arts Building at Bishop's University. The building bears witness to the interest of members of the Molson family in the welfare of Bishop's University over a period of more than sixty years:

Walter Molson, Trustee 1928-1951 John H. Molson, President of Corporation 1947-1966 J. David Molson, Trustee 1965-1968 William M. Molson, Trustee 1968-1976 Eric H. Molson Trustee, 1976-1984

[edit] Notable members of the Molson family

• John Molson (1763-1836)
• Percival Molson (1880-1917)
• Hartland Molson (1907-2002)
• William Molson (1793-1875).
• William Hobart Molson (1888-1951)

[edit] References

• Molson family gifts at McGill University website