John Molson

John Molson was a Canadian brewer and entrepreneur who was born in Moulton, Lincolnshire, England, in 1763. He was the grandson of a maltster and the son of a farmer. He immigrated to Canada in 1782, after suffering from an illness and seeking a new opportunity. He settled in Montreal, where he worked as a clerk and then a merchant. He bought a small brewery in 1785 and expanded it into the largest and most successful brewery in the city. He also diversified his business interests into banking, shipping, railways, and real estate. He was a pioneer of steam navigation in Canada, building the first steamboat in 1809. He also helped to establish the first public railway in Canada, the Champlain and St. Lawrence Railroad, in 1836. He was a prominent figure in Montreal society, serving as a justice of the peace, a militia officer, and a member of the Legislative Council of Lower Canada. He was also a generous philanthropist, supporting various causes and institutions, such as the Montreal General Hospital, the Montreal Library, and the Theatre Royal. He died in 1836 at the age of 72. He was buried in Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal. He left behind a legacy of innovation and excellence in the brewing industry and a family business that continues to this day.