7 things you didn’t know about William McMaster

McMaster’s namesake — businessman, politician and banker Senator William McMaster — was a pretty interesting guy.

A true self-made man, McMaster accomplished much of what he did through hard work and merit — fitting, considering the values that the University which bears his name tries to instil in its students.

Still, there’s a lot you probably don’t know about the Senator. For example: the fact that his bust can be found on the main floor of University Hall.

Below are seven other things you probably didn’t know about William McMaster:

1. William McMaster was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and came to Canada with no money, no friends and little education.

2. He worked as a clerk at a dry goods firm, but quickly proved himself to his employer, who after just a year or two made him his business partner. He eventually took over the business.

3. In 1862 he was elected as the Liberal representative for Midland. He was later appointed to the first dominion Senate.

4. McMaster served as a director of the Bank of Montreal, and later became the founding president of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC).

5. It was at the urging of his wife, Susan Moulton (yes, like Moulton Hall) McMaster, that the Senator endorsed a campaign for an independent Baptist institution. The bill allowing for the union of Woodstock College and Toronto Baptist College was introduced in March of 1887.

6. On April 7, 1887, McMaster made out a will leaving an endowment of $900,000 for the university.

7. McMaster University was born when the bill was assented to on April 23, but William didn’t have much time to celebrate. He died September 22, 1887.