William McMaster
William McMaster | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date County Tyrone, Northern Ireland |
| Died | September 22, 1887 (aged 75) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, financier, senator |
| Years active | 1833–1887 |
| Known for | Founding president of the Canadian Bank of Commerce; Liberal senator for Midland, Ontario; founding figure of McMaster University |
William McMaster (December 24, 1811 – September 22, 1887) was a prominent Canadian merchant, financier, and senator during the 1800s. Serving as a director at the Bank of Montreal between 1864 and 1867, he was instrumental in creating the Canadian Bank of Commerce, where he held the position of inaugural president from its establishment in 1867 until his passing in 1887.
From 1867 to 1887, he acted as the Liberal senator for Midland, Ontario in the Senate of Canada. McMaster was also a founding figure behind McMaster University, originally located in Toronto before its later move to Hamilton.
Biography
Originating from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, McMaster relocated to York, Upper Canada (present-day Toronto) in 1833. He first married Mary Henderson (1812–1869) from New York and subsequently wed Susan Fraser (née Moulton) on July 18, 1871; she was the widow of James Fraser, a U.S. Indian Paymaster.
He passed away in 1887 and was laid to rest at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto beside his first spouse Mary. His second wife Susan is buried separately at Mont Royal Cemetery in Montreal.
Philanthropy
A devoted Baptist, McMaster generously supported various religious and academic causes. He contributed to the enlargement of Bond Street Baptist Church and aided in constructing Beverley Street Baptist Church (currently known as Toronto Chinese Baptist Church) along with other Baptist congregations throughout Toronto. Furthermore, he financed Toronto Baptist College, which occupied McMaster Hall on Bloor Street and eventually developed into McMaster University following a major endowment after his death. Through his wife’s involvement, he also made donations to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.