Queen's University, 1841-1991

On October 16, 1991 Canada Post Corporation will join with Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario in honouring its 150th anniversary. The historical significance of the occasion is being marked by the release of Canada's second Prestige Booklet. It contains a single pane of 10 stamps along with numerous photographs and a brief history of this famous Canadian institution of higher learning. It was in the fall of 1841 that a young Presbyterian minister, Thomas Liddell, arrived in Kingston from Scotland with a charter in hand. Queen Victoria had granted a Charter for a theological "Queen's College at Kingston". The new college was the creation of the Presbyterian Church in conjunction with the Church of Scotland. It officially opened on March 7, 1842 in a rented house on Colborne Street. The young institution's financial woes were apparent from the beginning. In an attempt to secure economic stability, Liddell planned to make Queen's a federated university with Victoria College of Cobourg and King's College of Toronto. His plans failed and he resigned and returned to Scotland. But his legacy lived on; the first students proudly graduated on June 2, 1847. Facing bankruptcy in 1872, the college was saved by its principal, William Snodgrass. He spearheaded a fund raising campaign which once and for all secured Queen's future existence. But it was his successor, Principal Grant, during a long tenure between 1877 and 1902, who established Queen's as an independent university. Among his many accomplishments were the creation of a school of agriculture and the re-establishment of the medical school. Fundraising and the endowment campaigns were given top priority. Together with his organization abilities, Grant naturally inspired others. He created a graduate school, whose scholars were known as Grant's men. Today Grant Hall stands as a lasting testimonial to his many accomplishments. Queen's University can also boast Canada's oldest self-governing student body. The Alma Master Society was formed in January 1858 to maintain and defend students' rights while perfecting their education. In 1888 the Levana Society was formed as a haven for female students, at a time when women were not welcome in the academic community. In 1912 an Act of Parliament amended the Royal Charter and transformed Queen's from theological into a secular university with an affiliated theological college. Many firsts and outstanding growth have occured at Queen's since its humble beginnings in 1841. Its boasts many graduates who went on to fortune and fame including actor Lorne Greene and Ottawa's first female mayor, Charlotte Whitton. Once can still hear the proud student cheer of "CHA GHEILL" in gaelic, meaning "Queen's Forever! No Surrender!"