Posted on Oct. 29: Prominent Hamiltonian’s diaries donated to McMaster University Library

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October 29, 2003

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Pigott_Diaries_Web.jpg” caption=”Pigott Diaries”]McMaster University Library is celebrating the donation of the personal diaries of Joseph M. Pigott, one of Hamilton's most prominent businessmen and community leaders of the last century.

The 57 handwritten diaries span the years from 1910-1968, a turbulent time in Canadian social and economic history and provide a glimpse into Pigott's private thoughts and insightful commentaries on issues of the day. They are important historical documents and will be of particular interest to researchers and scholars of 20th century local and Canadian history.

J.M. Pigott was a prominent figure on the local and national business, social and cultural scene. He was active on numerous boards and was involved with many organizations, including McMaster's Board of Governors, the Hamilton Construction Association and the Art Gallery of Hamilton. His company, the Pigott Construction Company, became one of Canada's most successful private corporations and erected some of the finest buildings in Hamilton and Ontario, including: the Pigott Building (Hamilton's first skyscraper), the Bank of Montreal building at King and James, early McMaster University buildings, Westdale Secondary School, the Cathedral of Christ the King, and the Royal Ontario Museum.

Pigott was the recipient of many prestigious awards. In recognition of his services to the Government of Canada as the head of Wartime Housing Limited, a Crown corporation, he was named Commander of the British Empire in 1946. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from McMaster in 1963.

A description of the Joseph M. Pigott collection is available at: http://library.mcmaster.ca/archives/findaids/fonds/p/pigott.htm.

On Sunday, Nov. 2, McMaster President Peter George and University librarian Graham R. Hill will host a private reception to recognize the Pigott family's generous gift.

Photo caption: Pages from Joseph M. Pigott's personal diaries.