George Stephen

George Stephen, 1st Baron Mount Stephen (5 June 1829 – 29 November 1921), known as Sir George Stephen, Bt, between 1886 and 1891.

Originally from Scotland, he makes his fame in Montreal and is the first Canadian to be elevated to the Peerage of the United Kingdom.

He is the financial genius behind the creation of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

He is President of the Bank of Montreal and is remembered as one of the greatest philanthropists of his time.

He builds a new wing at the Montreal General Hospital, donates generously to various hospitals in Scotland and gives over £1.3 million to the Prince of Wales Hospital Fund in London, working closely with George V. He and his first cousin, Lord Strathcona, purchase the land and then each give $1 million to the City of Montreal to construct and maintain the Royal Victoria Hospital.

His home in Montreal's Golden Square Mile later becomes the Mount Stephen Club.

In 1888, he retires to England, living between Brocket Hall and 17 Carlton House Terrace.

His first wife is credited for introducing the canoe to Scotland.

From starting life as a barefooted stable boy, he becomes the richest man in Canada and closely associated with George V, whose wife, Queen Mary, is a lifelong friend and confidant of the second Lady Mount Stephen.

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