Molson family
| Company type | Family business dynasty |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing, banking, sports, philanthropy |
| Founded | 1782 |
| Founder | John Molson |
| Headquarters | Montreal , Canada |
Area served | Canada |
Key people | Hartland Molson, Thomas Henry Pentland Molson, Geoff Molson |
| Products | Beer (Molson Brewery), banking services (Molson's Bank) |
The Molson family from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, traces its origins to John Molson, who emigrated from Lincolnshire, England in 1782. Recognized as one of the most influential business dynasties in Canada, their collective wealth is estimated at C$1.75 billion.
History
John Molson and his heirs established what became Canada's largest brewery (Molson Brewery), financed the nation's inaugural steamboat, and pioneered the first railroad. His sons launched Molson's Bank, which issued its own currency, and contributed to the funding of a Protestant church within a largely Catholic Montreal community.
The family’s trio of mausoleums located at Mount Royal Cemetery, crafted by Irish-born architect George Browne, rank among the cemetery’s most distinguished monuments.
Hartland Molson played a pivotal role in expanding the family’s brewing enterprise across Canada. He co-owned the Canadian Arena, including both the Montreal Forum and the Montreal Canadiens (1957–1964), and alongside his brother Thomas Henry Pentland Molson, co-sponsored Hockey Night in Canada. Additionally, he served as a governor at McGill University and held a Canadian Senate seat for 38 years.
Philanthropy
In 1958, Hartland Molson together with Thomas Henry Pentland Molson founded the Molson Foundation to promote exceptional artistic achievements by Canadian citizens; it was renamed the Molson Family Foundation in 1981. The Thomas Henry Pentland Molson Prize for the Arts, presented annually by The Canada Council for the Arts, honors significant contributions to Canada’s cultural and intellectual legacy. Other recognitions include the Thomas Henry Pentland Prize awarded at Selwyn House School and a family-sponsored scholarship at the Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific.
Early generations of the family—William, Thomas, and John Molson Jr.—endowed McGill University’s inaugural chair, known as the Molson Chair in English Language and Literature, and supported major campus developments such as Molson Hall, medical facilities, and land acquisition for Redpath Library. The university's Percival Molson Memorial Stadium commemorates Percival Molson, who donated $75,000 toward its construction before dying in World War I.
The Molson Family Foundation gifted Hartland Molson Hall at Bishop's College School in 2005 to honor Senator Hartland Molson. Over six decades of family involvement have also seen significant contributions to Bishop's University's Molson Fine Arts Building, with trustees including Walter, John H., J. David, William M., and Eric H. Molson playing key roles.
Notable members of the Molson family
- John Molson (1763–1836)
- John Molson Jr. (1787–1860)
- John Molson (1820–1907)
- William Alexander Molson (1852–1920)
- William Hobart Molson (1888–1951), sole son of Dr. William Alexander Molson
- William Alexander Molson (1852–1920)
- Samuel Elsdale Molson (1822–1893)
- John Elsdale Molson (1863–1925)
- Arthur Hugh Molson, Baron Molson (1903–1991)
- John Elsdale Molson (1863–1925)
- John Molson (1820–1907)
- Thomas Molson (1791–1863)
- Martha Molson (1824–1900)
- John Henry Robinson Molson (1826–1897)
- Mary Anne Molson (1828–1922)
- Harriet Molson (1830–1913)
- William Markland Molson (1833–1913)
- Harry Markland Molson (1856–1912)
- Frederick William Molson (1860–1929)
- John Henry Molson (1896–1977)
- J. David Molson (1928–2017), son of John Henry Molson
- John Henry Molson (1896–1977)
- John Thomas Molson (1837–1910)
- Lillias Savage Molson (1866–1919)
- Herbert Molson (1875–1938)
- Thomas Henry Pentland Molson (1901–1978)
- Eric Molson (b. 1937)
- Andrew Molson (b. 1967)
- Justin Molson (b. 1969)
- Geoff Molson (b. 1971), CEO and President of the Montreal Canadiens and former VP with Molson
- Eric Molson (b. 1937)
- Mary Dorothy Molson MacDougall (1904–1992)
- Naomi Elizabeth Molson Mather (1906–1992)
- Hartland Molson (1907–2002)
- Thomas Henry Pentland Molson (1901–1978)
- Kenneth Molson (1877–1932)
- Mabel Molson (1879–1973)
- Percival Molson (1880–1917)
- Walter Molson (1883–1953)
- William Molson (1793–1875)
- Anne Molson (1824–1899), married cousin John Molson (1820–1907)
- John Molson Jr. (1787–1860)