SIR JAMES ALEXANDER GRANT, Chief of
Clan Grant of Corrimory, was born in Inverness, August 11, 1831, the son
of Dr. James Grant and Jane Ogilvy, and the grandson of James Grant 7th of
Corrimory, a noted advocate and author of Thoughts on the Origin and
Descent of the Gael. In appreciation of this work, the Highland
Society of Scotland presented him with a large silver cup, now in
possession of Sir James. In 1832, Sir James’s parents removed to Upper
Canada, where his father, a graduate of Edinburgh, practised his
profession in Martintown, Glengarry, for more than forty years, enjoying
the respect of the entire countryside.
Sir James studied at the village
high school and entered Queen’s College, Kingston, in 1849, where he
carried off the University Scholarship in Arts. Two years later he began
the study of medicine at McGill University, passing the examinations of
the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1853. He practised for six
months in Williamstown, Glengarry, was a prosector in the University, and
was graduated in 1854. He then settled in Bytown, now Ottawa City, where
he is still in active practice and a commanding figure in Canadian
professional and public life.
In 1846, he studied in English and
Scottish hospitals, receiving the degrees of M.R.C.S., England; M.R.C.S.,
London; and F.R.C.S., Edinburgh. He was member of the Medical Council,
1866-1869, and its President, 1868-1869. He was appointed by Lord Monck,
first Governor-General of Canada after confederation, physician to the
Vice-Regal household, a post he held with marked success until 1905, when
appointed honorary physician. He was in attendance at Rideau Hall during
the term of H.R.H. Princess Louise, and in Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Year,
1887, received the K.C.M.G., "in acknowledgement of his professional
services and scientific attainments."
While on a visit to England in 1900,
he was summoned by Queen Victoria to lunch at Balmoral Castle. This visit
was reported in the Court Journal and called forth many inquiries
as to the state of Her Majesty’s health. In his interview with the Queen,
in order to hear distinctly, it was necessary for Sir James to take a
small chair and sit down beside Her Maj esty, her voice then being very
feeble. In mentioning this afterward to Sir James Reid, the Queen’s
physician, he exclaimed, "Gladstone and yourself are the only two who ever
sat down during an interview with Her Majesty!’’
Sir James was President of the
Canada Medical Association, 1874; member of the International Medical
Congress, Philadelphia, 1876, and Vice-President of the Department of
Surgery; President, Tuberculosis Association; President, College of
Physicians and Surgeons, Ontario; honorary member American Academy of
Medicine and British Medical Association; Fellow and President Royal
Society of Canada, 1903; Honorary Vice-President Medical Congress of the
World, Washington, 1887; corresponding member Association del
Benemeriti Italiani, Palermo, Sicily, and awarded gold medal in
recognition of his standing in medical science; awarded Legion of Honour
of Italy for contributions to medical science; President for Canada,
International Hygienic Congress of the World, Paris, 1910; Representative
for Canada, Third International Congress on School Hygiene, Buffalo, 1913;
honorary member Canadian Medical Association, 1913; President of General
Hospital, Ottawa, and Chief-of-Staff twenty-five years: eonsult.ing
physician, St. Luke’s, Children’s and Maternity Hospitals, Ottawa, and
Samaritan Hospital, Montreal; and President of the Ottawa Graduates’
Association of McGill College (and one of its oldest living graduates). He
is an active member and has been President of the St. Andrew’s Society;
the Literary and Scientific Society of Ottawa, 1884; and an honorary
member of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec. In 1910, on a
visit to his birthplace, the freedom of the city of Inverness was
conferred upon him. He was entertained at a public banquet and presented
with a gold loving-cup by his professional brethren in Canada in 1903, on
completing his fifty years of active practice.
Sir James’s chief discoveries in
medical science are: Serum Therapy, in Ottawa Protestant Hospital,
in 1861; Abnormal Storage of Electricity, in 1884; and Nerve
Block, in 1913. The Medical Council of Ontario, following a
declaration of The London Lancet, of May 20, 1916, passed
resolutions of appreciation of the services of Sir James Alexander Grant,
"The Grand Old Man of Canadian Medicine," as the discoverer of
Serum Therapy.
Sir James has taken an active part
in public affairs and in the development of Canada. He sat in Parliament.,
as a Conservative, for Russell, 1867-1874, and for Ottawa City, 1893-1896.
He was one of the first to recognize the need of a transcontinental
Canadian railway, and introduced and vigorously supported the first
Pacific Railway bill. He also advocated warmly the admission of the
Northwest and British Columbia into confederation. He is a forcible
speaker and also enjoys a reputation as a geologist. His contributions to
medical periodicals would fill several volumes.
Sir James married, January 22, 1856,
Maria, daughter of the late Edward Malloch, who represented Carleton in
the Canadian Parliament for many years. At the recent celebration of their
sixtieth wedding anniversary, they were the recipients of felicitations
from friends in every part of the world. Lady Grant is very popular in
Ottawa, where they have resided since their marriage, and has been active
in many philanthropic and charitable organizations. In connection with the
Ottawa Humane Society, she was one of the first to offer a silver medal
for bravery to one who had saved a life from drowning. Sir James and Lady
Grant attend the St. Andrew ‘s Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, of which they
have been members since 1854. Of twelve children, seven survive: Mrs.
George Major, Niagara; Mrs. Harry Cassells. Montreal; Miss Harriet; Dr.
James A. Grant, Ottawa: Dr. H. Y. Grant; E. C. Grant; and W. W.
Grant.